Chelsea ensured they will stay at the top of the Premier League for another week at least as Mason Mount’s hat-trick inspired Thomas Tuchel’s side to a thumping 7-0 victory over bottom side Norwich at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea had injury problems heading into the game with Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner both missing, but despite the star name absentees, the gulf in class between the two sides was there for all to see from the very first whistle as Chelsea raced out of the blocks to take an early advantage through Mount (8).
The Blues were hardly tested at the back and the goals continued to flow at the other end as Callum Hudson-Odoi (18) and Reece James (42) sent them in at the break three goals to the good.
Hapless Norwich’s woes continued after the break as Ben Chilwell (57) continued his fine scoring run before Max Aarons’ own goal (62) continued a torrid afternoon for Daniel Farke’s side, who also had Ben Gibson sent off in the second half (65).
Mount (85) grabbed his second of the game, scoring from the penalty spot at the second time of asking after Tim Krul was adjudged to have come off his line before making the initial save before the England international put the exclamation mark on his and Chelsea’s afternoon by completing his first hat-trick for the club (90+1).
Victory means Chelsea will stay top for another week after emphatically extending their lead over second-placed Liverpool to four points ahead of Jurgen Klopp’s side’s Super Sunday clash with Manchester United.
Meanwhile, Norwich’s top-flight troubles continue. They remain bottom of the Premier League after a chastening afternoon in west London as their wait for a first win of the season continues.
It didn’t take long for Chelsea to get into their stride, and they were ahead in less than eight minutes as Mount fired his first Premier League goal of the season.
The England international, in front of the watching Gareth Southgate, thumped home a low drive from 20 yards, leaving Norwich goalkeeper Tim Krul with absolutely no chance.
They didn’t have to wait too long or a second either as Hudson-Odoi finished a fine counter-attack from European champions just 10 minutes later. Thiago Silva cut out a brief Norwich attack before Mateo Kovacic slid through a perfectly weighted through ball for Hudson-Odoi, who provided a composed finish to double the advantage.
Despite the absence of Lukaku and Werner, Chelsea weren’t struggling for goals and they had a third just before the break as James raced onto Mount’s inch-perfect pass. It was another calm finish as James dinked the ball over the onrushing Krul to cap a perfect half for the Blues.
Norwich, who were blown away by Chelsea in the first half, tried to stem the flow of the game with Daniel Farke bringing on Brandon Williams and Milto Rashica at the break, and it almost saw the visitors grab a lifeline.
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