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Chelsea vs Norwich player ratings: Was Diego Costa the star man for the Blues?

Chelsea 1 Norwich City 0

Vaishali Bhardwaj

Stamford Bridge

Saturday 21 November 2015 17:44 GMT

(Getty Images)

Chelsea won their first Premier League game in a month after beating Norwich City by a solitary goal at Stamford Bridge.

Diego Costa was the man on the scoresheet, scoring with a neat curling effort in a game where he really should have had more.

Jose Mourinho's team were much improved and dominated the game, creating numerous chances, although Norwich may have had a first-half penalty.

It was Chelsea's first Premier League win since they beat bottom of the table Aston Villa on 17 October.

But who was the star man? Scroll though our gallery to see the ratings:

Chelsea vs Norwich City - player ratings

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Chelsea vs Norwich City - player ratings

CHELSEA: Asmir Begovic - 6 out of 10

Dealt with the few chances he was faced with against Norwich with ease as the Canaries’ forwards ultimately failed to give the goalkeeper a busy afternoon.

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Chelsea vs Norwich City - player ratings

Branislav Ivanovic - 6 out of 10

Looked reinvigorated upon his return to the starting line-up following his recovery from injury and, although he defended well enough, he did allow Brady to get past him a few times when Norwich went on the attack.

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Chelsea vs Norwich City - player ratings

Kurt Zouma - 7 out of 10

Put in a strong defensive performance on what would have been an emotional return to club football for the France international, while he also came close to scoring with his volley in the second half and his lovely flick from Willian’s free-kick that hit the bar.

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Chelsea vs Norwich City - player ratings

John Terry - 6 out of 10

Made a key block of Bassong’s shot with five minutes of the first half to play to deny the visitors a potential opener while having earlier seen his audacious flick go wide of the goal. Was a solid game for the Chelsea skipper but, in truth, he was never really tested by Norwich’s forwards in the game.

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Chelsea vs Norwich City - player ratings

Kenedy - 7 out of 10

Despite starting in the unusual position of left-back, the Brazilian enjoyed a superb showing in defence as he patrolled his area well and used his pace to regularly help contribute to Chelsea’s attacks – with one of his crosses nearly ending in a goal. An inspired inclusion in the team.

Chelsea vs Norwich City - player ratings

Nemanja Matic - 7 out of 10

Was excellent in midfield as he dominated the play from the middle of the park by winning possession and then helping drive Chelsea’s attacks forwards – nearly scoring a wonder goal late on. Suffered one nervy moment when he was outmuscled by Brady, which ended in a chance for the visitors, but Matic will be pleased with his showing.

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Chelsea vs Norwich City - player ratings

Cesc Fabregas - 7 out of 10

Enjoyed a much more positive game, with the Spaniard setting up Costa’s goal with his quick free-kick, forcing Ruddy into a save with his low shot in the first half and generally linking up well with Hazard, Pedro and Willian.

Chelsea vs Norwich City - player ratings

Pedro - 6 out of 10

The Spaniard’s pace helped him get past Wisdom to create chances for Chelsea several times in the game, but he saw his impact wane as the game progressed. Still, his link-up play with his teammates allowed the home side to have a much more fluid attacking play than in previous games. Was replaced by Oscar with seven minutes to go.

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Chelsea vs Norwich City - player ratings

Willian - 6 out of 10

The Brazilian was another important player going forwards for the Blues, although he did escape giving away a penalty after clattering with Brady in the area.

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Chelsea vs Norwich City - player ratings

Eden Hazard - 8 out of 10

The midfielder impressed from his No.10 role and he proved to be one of Chelsea’s best players, if not the best, on the pitch. The Belgian’s direct play and desire to be the difference resulted in him causing Norwich’s defence several problems throughout the game – indeed he won the free kick from which Costa eventually scored from - and he also showed against Norwich that he has the ability to step up when his team needs him the most.

Chelsea vs Norwich City - player ratings

Diego Costa - 7 out of 10

The striker scored the only goal of the match when he calmly drove a low shot past Ruddy in the second half. However, Costa will still feel he should have displayed better finishing before that effort after having side-footed an earlier shot over the bar. His tendency to go down too easily in the box – which he did against Norwich when under pressure from Bassong – needs to be addressed.

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Chelsea vs Norwich City - player ratings

NORWICH CITY: John Ruddy - 7 out of 10

Made several impressive saves in the game – using his foot to keep out Costa’s shot in the 42nd minute and preventing Matic from scoring what would have been a wonder goal late on. However, he couldn’t save Costa’s effort for the winner.

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Chelsea vs Norwich City - player ratings

Andre Wisdom - 5 out of 10

Found himself a weak link at right-back as Pedro, Willian and Hazard found it all too easy to get past him throughout the game.

Chelsea vs Norwich City - player ratings

Ryan Bennett - 5 out of 10

The defender shackled Costa well alongside Bassong throughout the game, but he will feel he let himself down when he failed to do enough to keep up with the striker for the goal.

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Chelsea vs Norwich City - player ratings

Sebastian Bassong - 7 out of 10

Was one of Norwich’s best performers at the Bridge as he used his strength to deal with Costa superbly while never being afraid to come out and deal with the numerous threats Chelsea created. The centre-back should have, however, have done better to lift the ball over Terry while in front of goal.

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Chelsea vs Norwich City - player ratings

Martin Olsson - 5 out of 10

Struggled to keep up with Willian and the interchanging play of Pedro and Hazard and received a yellow for fouling Costa.

Chelsea vs Norwich City - player ratings

Jonny Howson - 5 out of 10

Made a superb challenge to dispossess Willian on the edge of penalty box as Chelsea attacked in the first half, but failed to really create any clear-cut chances for the visitors.

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Chelsea vs Norwich City - player ratings

Youssouf Mulumbu - 4 out of 10

Endured a difficult afternoon in the middle of the park with Hazard running riot. Was cautioned for pulling back Pedro and was later taken off after Chelsea went ahead.

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Chelsea vs Norwich City - player ratings

Gary O'Neil - 5 out of 10

Like Mulumbu, O’Neil had a tricky time dealing with the pace of Hazard, the trickery of Fabregas and the smooth attacking play of Pedro and Willian.

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Chelsea vs Norwich City - player ratings

Robbie Brady - 6 out of 10

Had a penalty appeal turned down after coming together with Willian in the box while he had one of Norwich’s best chances to equalise shortly after Costa scored but drove his shot just wide.

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Chelsea vs Norwich City - player ratings

Nathan Redmond - 5 out of 10

Had a quiet game from his position just behind Mbokani, but was unable to use his abilities to get past Matic.

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Chelsea vs Norwich City - player ratings

Dieumerci Mbokani - 4 out of 10

Never created any clear-cut chances to score and largely disappointed before being taken off and replaced by Jerome late on.

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