MX23RW : Monday, January 6 01:28:25| >> :120:13167:13167:

Half-Time Report: Juan Mata gives Chelsea lead

Juan Mata gives Chelsea a 1-0 lead at the halfway stage of their match against Norwich this afternoon.

Juan Mata has given Chelsea a 1-0 lead going into half time of their Premier League clash with Norwich City at Carrow Road this afternoon.

Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez - in front of Frank Lampard - on the bench at Carrow Road on December 26, 2012© PA Photos

David Luiz looked to make the most of his role in the centre of midfield, getting forward whenever he could, and it almost paid dividends in the 23rd minute as he found space to shoot, only for his curling effort to go over the bar.

Luiz then turned provider as a clever reverse pass found Juan Mata, who couldn't squeeze his shot in at the near post.

Chelsea star Juan Mata scores the first goal against Norwich on December 26, 2012© PA Photos

Mata had more luck seven minutes before the break as he linked up with Victor Moses and Oscar to fire past Mark Bunn from 20 yards.

The Canaries couldn't respond before the break as Chelsea took their 1-0 lead into the break.

ID:61086: cacheID:61086:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2906:
Written by
Barney Corkhill
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Chelsea's Eden Hazard slots home his team's fourth goal against Leeds on December 19, 2012
Read Next:
Team News: Lampard, Hazard dropped for Chelsea
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool19144147192846
2Arsenal20117239182140
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1911442619737
4Chelsea20106439241536
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2010463627934
7Bournemouth209653023733
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham207943027330
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
11Brentford208393835327
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd206592328-523
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham206592439-1523
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1944113142-1116
18Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!