Jimmy-Jay Morgan - with his first competitive goal for the Under-21s - and Ronnie Stutter were on target for Mark Robinson’s side in East Anglia as the Blues suffered a second consecutive 3-2 defeat in the PL2.

Tough early exchanges

The game started brightly with both sides looking to gain control of the early exchanges, with Chelsea the stronger of the two teams to begin with.

However it was Norwich who opened the scoring inside the opening 10 minutes, albeit against the run of play. Tom Dickson-Peters tapped home from close range following a well worked move from the hosts, with Regan Riley finding the Norwich forward in space.

It didn’t take long for Chelsea to pull level though, just four minutes later. Good work from Zak Sturge saw him find Morgan, who produced a smart finish past Vincente Reyes in the Canaries goal.

Robinson’s Blues were on top and went close to taking the lead but for a smart block from Norwich defender Jaden Warner, before the hosts hit on the counter to edge in front once again.

Riley was again the architect, playing a ball through to Aiden Manning who latched onto the pass and poked past Max Merrick in the Chelsea goal.

Searching for goals

That second goal sparked Norwich into life and they twice went close to extending their lead. Guilherme Montoia came close to adding a Norwich third but saw his effort blocked on the line, before Merrick made a smart stop to deny Manning.

There would be a third for Norwich, as Emmanuel Adegboyega's looped header beat Merrick from Gabe Forsyth's free-kick.

Robinson’s Blues rallied after the break and went close through Leo Castledine, who saw a header blocked on the line.

Stutter, who impressed throughout, pulled a goal back after 64 minutes with a tidy finish from close range.

The possession was by far in our favour and we put the Norwich backline under pressure. Sturge also went close with a powerful run from deep as he combined with Morgan but the eventual shot went inches wide of the goal.

Tyrique George also had a shot from distance which had to be parried behind by the Norwich goalkeeper.

Chelsea pushed for an equaliser which ultimately never came with Norwich taking all three points. It now means Robinson’s side have suffered defeats to Brighton and the Canaries, while defeating Blackburn on opening day in the PL2.

Next up

Next on the agenda for the young Blues is a trip to Stadium MK to face MK Dons in the EFL trophy on Tuesday evening.

Chelsea (4-2-2-2): Max Merrick; Brodi Hughes, Alfie Gilchrist (c), Billy Gee (Harrison Murray-Campbell 65), Zak Sturge; Kiano Dyer, Alex Matos (Sam Rak-Sakyi 75), Leo Castledine; Zain Silcott-Duberry (Tyrique George 65), Ronnie Stutter (Donnell McNeilly 65), Jimmy-Jay Morgan

Unused subs: Luke Campbell.

Booked: Alfie Gilchrist 52; Alex Matos 71; Harrison Murray-Campbell 76.

Scorers: Jimmy-Jay Morgan 12; Ronnie Stutter 64.

Norwich (4-3-3): Vicente Reyes; Kellen Fisher (Kenneth Aboh 63), Guilherme Montoia, Waylon Renecke, Emmanuel Adegboyega, Jaden Warner (c), Regan Riley, Flynn Clarke (Finley Welch 75), Adian Manning (Harry Brooke 75), Thomas Dickson-Peters 85), Gabe Forsyth (Pedro Lima 63).

Booked: Gabe Forsyth 42; Flynn Clarke 54; Kenneth Aboh 72; Pedro Lima 87; Guilherme Montoia 87.

Scorers: Thomas Dickson-Peters 9; Adian Manning 22; Emmanuel Adeboyega 38.