Second-half latest: Norwich 1 Chelsea 2 – Blues edging towards victory

Kenedy of Chelsea

Kenedy put Chelsea ahead after just 39 seconds at Carrow Road and Diego Costa netted a controversial second on the stroke of half-time.

Kenedy burst in from the left, dodged two challenges and fired into the far corner – his first Premier League goal.

And Bertrand Traore set up Costa, who was in an offside position before lifting the ball over keeper John Ruddy – the striker’s 10th goal in his last 14 matches.

Nathan Redmond pulled a goal back for Norwich midway through the second half when he collected Wes Hoolahan’s fine past and blasted past keeper Thibaut Courtois.

The exciting young duo of Kenedy and Traore – who made his first league start for the Blues – were included as part of a shake-up by boss Guus Hiddink, who dropped Baba Rahman and recalled Nemanja Matic and Oscar.

After Kenedy, who replaced Baba at left-back, scored the opener, Traore might have made it 2-0 had he managed to control Eden Hazard’s pass.

But Traore’s heavy touch simply nudged the ball into the arms of Ruddy, who was also able to tip over Cesc Fabregas’ free-kick.

Traore made amends by teeing up Costa and showed plenty of promise before being substituted on the hour mark.

Cameron Jerome missed two glorious chances for the Canaries early in the second half.

He volleyed wide from eight yards out after being found by Gary O’Neil’s cross, and then contriving to volley against the top of the bar after Russell Martin had headed the ball back into the box.

Redmond, on the other hand, finished emphatically to give Norwich hope of rescuing a point.

Chelsea: Courtois, Azpilicueta, Cahill, Ivanovic, Kenedy (Baba 69), Fabregas, Matic, Hazard, Oscar (Mikel 60), Traore (Willian 60), Costa.
Subs: Begovic, Loftus-Cheek, Pato, Remy.