Since Lampard’s arrival at Stamford Bridge over the summer, Chelsea have been eagerly awaiting Lampards attacking philosophy of free-flowing attacking football. Although Chelsea were torn apart by the counter-attacking prowess of Manchester United on the opening day of the season, there were plenty of positives to take away from the defeat. Chelsea looked energetic, positive and unafraid to play attacking football, something that the Stamford Bridge faithful have been craving since the departure of Carlo Ancelotti. After some positive spells against Leicester and Liverpool in their previous two fixtures, Chelsea were desperate to gain their first win of the new season and dispell some of the critics that had started to circle around Lampard’s tactics. 

Chelsea fielded their youngest team ever to play in the Premier League at Carrow Road on a blisteringly hot Saturday afternoon. From the first minute, Chelsea looked to dominate Norwich and were rewarded in the 3rd minute when Tammy Abraham volleyed in a cross from Azpilicueta. The young English striker sprinted to his manager and embraced him, which was a touching moment for everyone with ties to Chelsea. Abraham has been sent on loan for the past three seasons and scored over 50 goals for Aston Villa, Bristol City, and Swansea. Although these accomplishments are outstanding, both Antonio Conte and Sarri decided that he was not good enough for Chelsea and decided to dip into the transfer market and splash millions on the likes of Alvaro Morata and Higuain. Lampard doesn’t have the luxury of buying any players at the moment so keeping Tammy at the club was almost forced upon him, however, Lampard has trusted Tammy to start up front, ahead of World Cup winner Oliver Giroud and the mysterious Michy Batshuayi. 

Norwich replied instantly through one of their own youth products when Cantwell toe-poked a Pukki cross after some slick build-up play form the newly promoted team. Lampard was disappointed with conceding so quickly but his Chelsea team took the lead again through another academy player in the form of Mason Mount. After some neat interchanging between Kovacic and Pulisic, Pulisic slipped a ball into Mount who waltzed past a Norwich defender and cooly slotted the ball into the top corner from 8 yards out. Mounts’ goal is something we saw Lampard do countless times in his playing career and Chelsea fans hope Mount can replicate throughout this season. Lampard’s total belief in Mount and Abraham is bringing a feel-good factor to Chelsea which has been missing for several years. 

After another poor defensive mistake, Norwich were level at half time thanks to their superstar Teemu Pukki. Pukki raced onto a through ball and slotted the ball past the helpless Kepa. After the break, Chelsea controlled the game and took the lead again after a fine strike from Abraham. Abraham received a pass from the excellent Kovacic and struck the ball from 20 yards out into the bottom corner, wrong-footing the helpless Tim Krul. Despite a late push from Norwich in the final 10 minutes, Chelsea held out for all three points in the end. Chelsea now head back to Stamford Bridge for a battle against Sheffield United on Sunday before the international break. Many Chelsea fans expect the feel-good factor to gain momentum with another victory against a newly promoted side.