Following Norwich City’s 1-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this afternoon, manager Alex Neil was left to rue over what might have been, had a penalty appeal worked in his team’s favour as a defiant display was offered no reward after a lapse of concentration in the second half.
Dieumerci Mbokani, Youssouf Mulumbu and Nathan Redmond replaced Cameron Jerome, Alex Tettey and Wes Hoolahan respectively, as Alex Neil made three changes to the team which beat Swansea at Carrow Road earlier this month.
Despite going in at half time level and the Canaries looking stubborn against last year’s Champions, Chelsea’s three-match losing streak was put to an end when Diego Costa cut inside and slotted home Cesc Fabregas’ free-kick in the 64th minute.
However, manager Alex Neil believed the game could have ended differently, with his team leaving Stamford Bridge with something to show for their display, had a 33rd minute penalty appeal for a push on Robbie Brady been awarded to the Canaries.
Whilst speaking to the Official Site, Neil said:
We certainly should have had a penalty. Robbie’s going into the box, and Willian comes from the wrong side and goes into the back of him.
Those types of decisions haven’t gone our way this season so far. It (a converted penalty) would have given us something to hold on to, and that’s the biggest disappointment.
The City boss did, however, praise his teams game plan and stubborn nature for the most part.
The way we set up worked well. We frustrated Chelsea for large parts of the game. In the first half in particular, we looked really threatening on the break. We had a couple of opportunities.
After a challenging start to the season for John Ruddy, Alex Neil also offered his praise towards the goalkeeper.
I thought he pulled off some good saves; he did well. John can be happy with his days work, as can the rest of the players.
Whilst he also left time to rue his team’s defensive error, which would later see the Canaries travel home empty handed.
I didn’t think the free-kick was a foul initially, but we didn’t recover quickly enough.
Once they got the goal, all of a sudden you’ve got to try and be the aggressor and that’s difficult to do.
We just need to make sure we try and cut out those lapses in concentration.
Alex Neil also confirmed the absence of Alex Tettey and Russell Martin was down to a thigh problem and a family issue respectively.
