Along Come Norwich Flashback – Chelsea 2 – 3 Norwich City (1992 – A)

Story of the match

I have only been to Stamford Bridge once. It was long beyond they were awash with the dodgy billions of a Russian oligarch, and instead they had Ken Bates spending their transfer funds stealing Norwich’s best striker (Flecky, how could you!?)

Back in the early nineties the ground was far from impressive either. The freehold for Stamford Bridge had been sold to property developers due the clubs dark days a decade earlier, and Bates had just negotiated it back. To say the stadium had been neglected during the time was being kind, as is calling it a stadium.

I remember arriving at the ground just before kick off, and then once through the away turnstile there was a long walk round to a large open terrace a fair distance from the pitch. Opposite was the infamous Shed End, where the noisy home supporters stood. Before it’s cosmopolitan transformation of Russian owners, European managers and global football stars the Chelsea fans had a nasty reputation and they didn’t make visitors welcome.

On this particular Saturday afternoon I wasn’t the only one who cut it fine getting to the ground. The Norwich City team bus had got caught in traffic, and the players barely had time to warm up before the game started. This unfortunately took its toll in the first half, with The Blues taking a two goal lead into the break which was a bit of a shock. Norwich had won five of their first seven games so far that season, and were on a run of good form which had started with that famous opening day comeback at Highbury. 

And sure enough the Canaries were to repeat those heroics with three second half goals thanks to the sheer bloody mindedness of Rob Newman, and some helpful slip ups from former Wimbledon goalkeeper Dave Beasant, as much the slick passing game we were beginning to expect. Once more the resilience and tenacity of this up and coming team shone through, in what was becoming an epic season. And all the goals were scored in front of that open terrace.

Leaving the ground and squeezing on to the tube we were surrounded by some of the less than friendly local fans, who no doubt had just emerged from the Shed End and who weren’t that happy post match. Being only five foot two and aged just 18, I was a tad intimidated and was quite glad when we got a few stops down the line and they began to dissipate. One day I will return to “The Bridge”, though the temptation to stay away and maintain my 100% win record is strong.

Long term significance

This was the second time at the start of that season that Norwich had reversed a two goal deficit away from home, the first being the 4-2 against Arsenal at Highbury on the opening day. This sort of football would be the mainstay of that insane season. Mike Walker believing, ultimately, that it didn’t matter how many goals you conceded as long as you scored more than that. Norwich haven’t generally, with a few exceptions, had solid defences since.

You may have forgotten that

For some strange reason, despite being September, this was the reverse fixture between the two sides that season. Norwich had also won the game at Carrow Road on 19 August, less than four weeks previous, 2-1. This is the last instance of Norwich doubling Chelsea in the league.

What happened in the rest of that season?

Well, this is 1993 and all that. The most storied of Norwich epochs. Clear at the top at Christmas, thrashed by Blackburn 7-1, finish 3rd, qualify for Europe etc etc.

Chelsea had the most average of average seasons and finished with exactly 14 wins, 14 draws and 14 losses. They finished exactly mid-table (11th), and scored 51 goals while conceding 54. Consistently inconsistent indeed.