By Owen Phillips BBC Sport

Debutant Juan Mata scored deep into injury time as Chelsea left it late to secure an unconvincing victory over 10-man Norwich.

The Blues led through Jose Bosingwa's stunning 25-yard shot but Grant Holt levelled after a blunder by Hilario.

Frank Lampard's penalty made it 2-1 after Ramires was felled by keeper John Ruddy, who was sent off.

Mata slotted in to seal the win but Chelsea's day was marred by a head injury to Didier Drogba.

Drogba took a heavy whack in the face from Ruddy and crashed to the floor with the scores at 1-1, as the keeper looked to punch clear a teasing cross.

The big Ivorian laid motionless on the pitch and was finally taken off on a stretcher after lengthy treatment which resulted in 11 minutes of injury time.

Villas-Boas concerned over Drogba injury

Drogba needed a breathing aid and was taken to hospital, leaving the Blues with an anxious wait to discover the extent of the injury .

Lampard restored Chelsea's lead and in those 11 minutes of added time, Mata finally gave the hosts breathing space to end the visitors' hopes and cap a pulsating and eventful match.

But Chelsea's fans were no doubt hoping that - following their tense victory over West Brom last Saturday - Bosingwa's fabulous early strike would be the prelude to a routine win.

Despite a blistering start in which Ramires saw a fine, long-range effort tipped wide by Ruddy, Norwich posed a serious threat in an open and entertaining game and could easily have snatched all three points themselves.

Bosingwa was a key attacking threat for the hosts from the off, twice rampaging down the right flank before he gave Chelsea the lead.

The home side worked the ball down the left and Lampard moved the ball across to Bosingwa, who drove his shot across goal and in off the far post.

Norwich responded with commendable composure and more than matched the Blues for the rest of the half.

Holt narrowly failed to connect with an inviting cross from Wes Hoolahan and Chris Martin forced a decent block from Hilario, who also kept out the follow-up strike from Kyle Naughton.

Grant Holt hooks in the equaliser past a bemused Hilario

Norwich's Grant Holt hooks in the equaliser past a bemused Hilario

Holt had a headed effort saved but after the interval, the burly striker was able to celebrate a goal courtesy of a terrible gaffe by keeper Hilario.

The Portuguese raced from his goal straight into Branislav Ivanovic, who could only head the ball up in the air for Holt to hook it cleverly into the unguarded net.

Almost from the kick-off Chelsea piled forward down the left and from the centre Drogba was poleaxed by Ruddy.

After play finally resumed it was the Canaries who looked more likely to grab the winner.

Substitute Steve Morison should probably have earned them maximum points when he raced onto Holt's ball over the top but the Welsh international hesitated and John Terry dived in to clear.

Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas threw on both Mata and fellow new signing Romelu Lukaku and slowly the Londoners regrouped and got on top.

Fernando Torres headed straight at Ruddy and the pressure told when Ramires was brought down by the keeper after a delightful through-ball from substitute Nicolas Anelka.

Norwich felt the contact was minimal but referee Mike Jones pointed to the spot and they were made to see out the closing stages of a game with 10 men for the second time in two league games .

Ruddy's replacement, Declan Rudd, was unable to stop Lampard's blasted strike and Chelsea then started to dominate.

Norwich boss Paul Lambert

Penalty was turning point - Lambert

Ivanovic somehow missed the target from six yards after a great dinked cross by Lampard before Mata finally broke Norwich's brave resistance, capitalising on Ritchie De Laet's error with the game well in to its 101st minute.

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas:

"The 1-1 came against the running of the game.

"The impact of the 1-1 on the emotional part of the game is tremendous but, again, I'm very, very happy that the team is able to control their state of mind, to fight back, to show commitment and desire.

"We looked better overall in a 90-minute performance."

Norwich City manager Paul Lambert:

"I thought we were excellent, I really did.

"The penalty's turned the game. We could've been up 2-1, but I can't ask any more from the lads, the way they played. They came here and they thrived on it.

"We were up against a team that could potentially win the Premier League.

"I think Chelsea know they had a game."

Lineup, Bookings (5) & Substitutions (6)

Chelsea

  • 40 Hilario
  • 02 Ivanovic
  • 03 Cole
  • 17 Bosingwa Booked
  • 26 Terry
  • 07 Ramires
  • 08 Lampard
  • 12 Mikel
  • 15 Malouda (Mata - 67' )
  • 09 Torres Booked (Lukaku - 83' )
  • 11 Drogba (Anelka - 67' )

Substitutes

  • 22 Turnbull
  • 19 Ferreira
  • 33 Alex
  • 20 McEachran
  • 10 Mata
  • 18 Lukaku
  • 39 Anelka

Norwich City

  • 01 Ruddy Dismissed
  • 06 Whitbread (Pilkington - 30' )
  • 20 Barnett
  • 23 Tierney
  • 24 De Laet
  • 25 Naughton Booked
  • 04 Johnson
  • 07 Crofts Booked
  • 14 Hoolahan (Morison - 60' )
  • 09 Holt
  • 16 C Martin (Rudd - 81' )

Substitutes

  • 13 Rudd
  • 02 R Martin
  • 12 Pilkington
  • 15 Fox
  • 17 Bennett
  • 05 Morison
  • 10 Jackson
Ref: Jones
Att: 41,765

Match Stats

Shots

16 9

On target

8 6

Corners

8 6

Fouls

17 14

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +11:33 Full time

Full Time The referee blows his whistle to end the game.

90:00 +10:03 Goal scored

Goal - Juan Mata - Chelsea 3 - 1 Norwich Juan Mata finds the net with a goal from just inside the area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Chelsea 3-1 Norwich.

90:00 +9:01

Grant Holt is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Free kick taken by John Terry.

90:00 +7:38

Frank Lampard gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Andrew Crofts. Declan Rudd restarts play with the free kick.

90:00 +7:26

Juan Mata delivers the ball, save made by Declan Rudd.

90:00 +6:37

Shot by Juan Mata from outside the box goes over the net.

90:00 +5:43

Ashley Cole challenges Leon Barnett unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Declan Rudd.

90:00 +4:03

Romelu Lukaku takes a shot. Save by Declan Rudd.

90:00 +3:03

Marc Tierney delivers the ball, save made by Henrique Hilario.

90:00 +1:20

Unfair challenge on Grant Holt by Mikel results in a free kick. Grant Holt takes the direct free kick.

90:00 +1:08

Romelu Lukaku sends in a cross, save made by Declan Rudd.

90:00 +0:28

The referee blows for offside against Grant Holt. Branislav Ivanovic restarts play with the free kick.

89:43

The ball is sent over by Frank Lampard, Branislav Ivanovic produces a header from deep inside the six-yard box which goes wide of the right-hand post.

89:28

A cross is delivered by Nicolas Anelka.

88:33

Mikel gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Grant Holt. Bradley Johnson takes the direct free kick.

88:01

Juan Mata sends in a cross, Header by Romelu Lukaku from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the target.

85:38

Effort from the edge of the penalty box by Steve Morison goes wide of the right-hand upright.

85:04

Jose Bosingwa challenges Grant Holt unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Bradley Johnson.

83:46

The ball is crossed by Nicolas Anelka, clearance made by Ritchie De Laet.

82:58

Anthony Pilkington sends in a cross.

82:38 Substitution

Substitution Fernando Torres goes off and Romelu Lukaku comes on.

81:42

The assist for the goal came from Ramires.

81:42 Goal scored

Goal - Frank Lampard - Chelsea 2 - 1 Norwich Penalty taken right-footed by Frank Lampard and scored. Chelsea 2-1 Norwich.

79:47 Substitution

Substitution Chris Martin leaves the field to be replaced by Declan Rudd.

79:47 Dismissal

Dismissal John Ruddy is shown a red card.

79:27

Penalty awarded for a foul by John Ruddy on Ramires.

78:46

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Bradley Johnson from the right by-line to the near post, John Terry makes a clearance.

78:29

Centre by Steve Morison, clearance made by Branislav Ivanovic.

78:02

Centre by Jose Bosingwa, save made by John Ruddy.

77:56

The ball is swung over by Nicolas Anelka.

76:36

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Bradley Johnson by Fernando Torres. Direct free kick taken by Leon Barnett.

76:02

The ball is sent over by Juan Mata, Fernando Torres takes a shot. Comfortable save by John Ruddy.

74:45

The assistant referee signals for offside against Grant Holt. Indirect free kick taken by Branislav Ivanovic.

74:12

Jose Bosingwa delivers the ball, John Ruddy makes a comfortable save.

72:51

Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Anthony Pilkington.

71:47

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Mikel by Grant Holt. Mikel takes the direct free kick.

71:08

Grant Holt is ruled offside. Free kick taken by Branislav Ivanovic.

66:35 Substitution

Substitution Nicolas Anelka joins the action as a substitute, replacing Didier Drogba.

66:35 Substitution

Substitution Juan Mata replaces Florent Malouda.

66:27

The offside flag is raised against Didier Drogba. Indirect free kick taken by John Ruddy.

62:23 Goal scored

Goal - Grant Holt - Chelsea 1 - 1 Norwich Grant Holt finds the back of the net with a goal from the edge of the area high into the middle of the goal. Chelsea 1-1 Norwich.

62:00

The offside flag is raised against Fernando Torres. Ritchie De Laet takes the indirect free kick.

59:34

Free kick taken by Branislav Ivanovic.

59:34 Substitution

Substitution (Norwich) makes a substitution, with Steve Morison coming on for Wesley Hoolahan.

59:34

Free kick awarded for a foul by Grant Holt on Mikel.

58:47

Frank Lampard takes a outswinging corner from the right by-line played to the near post, free kick awarded for a foul by Didier Drogba on Ritchie De Laet. John Ruddy restarts play with the free kick.

58:14

Free kick crossed by Didier Drogba.

58:14 Booking

Booking Kyle Naughton is shown a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.

57:53

Free kick awarded for a foul by Kyle Naughton on Didier Drogba.

57:32

The ball is crossed by Didier Drogba, clearance by Ritchie De Laet.

55:50

The referee blows for offside against Grant Holt. Branislav Ivanovic restarts play with the free kick.

55:33

Direct free kick taken by Bradley Johnson.

55:33 Booking

Booking Fernando Torres booked.

55:24

Unfair challenge on Leon Barnett by Fernando Torres results in a free kick.

54:27

Leon Barnett is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Mikel takes the free kick.

53:29

Corner taken left-footed by Bradley Johnson from the right by-line, clearance by Frank Lampard.

52:49

Mikel challenges Grant Holt unfairly and gives away a free kick. Bradley Johnson takes the direct free kick.

52:18

Frank Lampard takes a outswinging corner from the right by-line to the near post, Headed effort from deep inside the penalty area by Branislav Ivanovic misses to the right of the target.

51:49

A cross is delivered by Fernando Torres, clearance made by Marc Tierney.

50:26

A cross is delivered by Ashley Cole.

50:19

A cross is delivered by Ramires, Ritchie De Laet makes a clearance.

49:33

Outswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Florent Malouda, clearance made by Chris Martin.

48:29

Corner taken left-footed by Florent Malouda from the left by-line to the near post, John Terry takes a shot. Clearance made by Ritchie De Laet.

48:23

The ball is swung over by Didier Drogba, clearance made by Bradley Johnson.

47:23

Florent Malouda takes a outswinging corner to the near post, clearance made by Leon Barnett.

47:13

Ashley Cole delivers the ball, Ritchie De Laet manages to make a clearance.

46:50

Centre by Florent Malouda, clearance by Bradley Johnson.

45:24

Jose Bosingwa gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Wesley Hoolahan. Direct free kick taken by Bradley Johnson.

45:01

The second half has started.

45:00 +2:20 Half time

Half Time The match has reached half-time.

45:00 +1:46

Shot from long range by Mikel misses to the right of the target.

45:00 +1:11

Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Frank Lampard played to the near post, Andrew Crofts manages to make a clearance.

45:00 +1:04

Centre by Ashley Cole.

43:30

Florent Malouda takes a shot. Save by John Ruddy.

42:46

Bradley Johnson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Didier Drogba. Direct free kick taken by Ashley Cole.

41:49

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Chris Martin by John Terry. Strike on goal comes in from Bradley Johnson from the free kick, comfortable save by Henrique Hilario.

40:34

Direct effort from the free kick comes in from Didier Drogba.

40:34 Booking

Booking Caution for Andrew Crofts.

40:25

Foul by Andrew Crofts on Didier Drogba, free kick awarded.

39:36

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jose Bosingwa by Chris Martin. Jose Bosingwa takes the direct free kick.

38:55

A cross is delivered by Anthony Pilkington.

37:16

The ball is delivered by Marc Tierney.

36:57

The ball is sent over by Florent Malouda.

36:12

Bradley Johnson produces a left-footed shot from long distance which goes wide right of the goal.

35:31

John Ruddy restarts play with the free kick.

35:31 Booking

Booking Jose Bosingwa goes into the book for unsporting behaviour.

35:15

Jose Bosingwa gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Marc Tierney.

34:06

Free kick awarded for a foul by Ritchie De Laet on Didier Drogba. Frank Lampard has a direct shot on goal from the free kick.

33:12

Wesley Hoolahan takes a shot. Save made by Henrique Hilario.

32:43

Jose Bosingwa produces a cross, Ritchie De Laet manages to make a clearance.

30:56

Florent Malouda challenges Andrew Crofts unfairly and gives away a free kick. Bradley Johnson restarts play with the free kick.

30:06

Ramires challenges Wesley Hoolahan unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Bradley Johnson.

29:02 Substitution

Substitution Zak Whitbread leaves the field to be replaced by Anthony Pilkington.

28:46

Florent Malouda delivers the ball, clearance made by Andrew Crofts.

28:18

Kyle Naughton sends in a cross, Grant Holt takes a shot. Save by Henrique Hilario.

27:43

Short corner taken by Wesley Hoolahan.

27:30

Kyle Naughton takes a shot. Save by Henrique Hilario.

27:11

Chris Martin takes a shot. Brilliant save by Henrique Hilario.

26:14

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Chris Martin from the left by-line, clearance made by Didier Drogba.

25:54

Kyle Naughton takes a shot. Blocked by John Terry.

22:11

Kyle Naughton gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Florent Malouda. Didier Drogba produces a strike on goal direct from the free kick.

19:28

Grant Holt concedes a free kick for a foul on Branislav Ivanovic. Branislav Ivanovic restarts play with the free kick.

18:29

Unfair challenge on John Terry by Grant Holt results in a free kick. John Terry takes the free kick.

18:01

Foul by Didier Drogba on Leon Barnett, free kick awarded. Zak Whitbread restarts play with the free kick.

17:34

The ball is crossed by Chris Martin, Henrique Hilario makes a comfortable save.

17:15

Marc Tierney produces a cross, John Terry makes a clearance.

13:21

Unfair challenge on Bradley Johnson by Fernando Torres results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Bradley Johnson.

10:17

Corner taken by Chris Martin from the left by-line to the near post, Frank Lampard manages to make a clearance.

9:47

The ball is swung over by Ramires.

7:38

The assistant referee signals for offside against Wesley Hoolahan. Free kick taken by Branislav Ivanovic.

7:05

Corner crossed in by Frank Lampard, John Ruddy makes a comfortable save.

6:58

Didier Drogba delivers the ball, Zak Whitbread manages to make a clearance.

6:36

Grant Holt challenges Ashley Cole unfairly and gives away a free kick. Ashley Cole takes the direct free kick.

5:33

The assist for the goal came from Frank Lampard.

5:33 Goal scored

Goal - Jose Bosingwa - Chelsea 1 - 0 Norwich Jose Bosingwa scores a fantastic goal from outside the box to the top left corner of the goal. Chelsea 1-0 Norwich.

4:35

Branislav Ivanovic gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Grant Holt. Marc Tierney restarts play with the free kick.

4:21

Fernando Torres takes a shot. Blocked by Zak Whitbread.

3:18

Grant Holt gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on John Terry. Henrique Hilario takes the direct free kick.

3:18

Grant Holt concedes a free kick for a foul on John Terry. Direct free kick taken by Henrique Hilario.

2:10

Corner taken by Florent Malouda from the left by-line, Ritchie De Laet makes a clearance.

1:52

Ramires takes a shot. John Ruddy makes a brilliant save.

1:21

Frank Lampard fouled by Andrew Crofts, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Mikel.

0:00

The referee gets the game underway.

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