LONDON: It was a tumultuous day off the field but business as usual on it for the club that is swiftly becoming one of the most talked about teams in the football world for all the wrong reasons.

Early goals from Trevor Chalobah and Mason Mount set Chelsea on their way to a 3-1 victory at bottom club Norwich City in the Premier League on Thursday, just hours after unprecedented British government sanctions against Russian owner Roman Abramovich. Those included restrictions that prohibit the team from selling new tickets or merchandise, or signing new players.

It meant Chelsea required a special licence to even be allowed to play, but the tough sanctions which also halted Abramovich’s planned sale of the club didn’t prevent the away fans from chanting the oligarch’s name from the first whistle.

Chelsea’s players showed no sign of being affected by the turmoil as Chalobah headed in Mount’s corner in the third minute and Mount then then got on the scoresheet himself 11 minutes later as he curled in a pass from Kai Havertz.

Chelsea appeared to be cruising to comfortable victory but Norwich managed to reduce the deficit with 21 minutes left as Pierre Lees-Melou’s cross hit the arm of Chalobah and, after reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor, referee Mar­tin Atkinson pointed to the spot.

Teemu Pukki stepped up and sent Edouard Mendy the wrong way to set up a nervy finale for Chelsea in Norfolk.

But Chelsea wrapped up the points in injury time when substitute N’Golo Kante dribbled into the area and squared it for Havertz to sidefoot home.

“Of course, there was a lot of distraction, another level of distraction with the sanctions and we could feel it,” Tuchel said.“The players talked about it, they are aware of it and we accepted it, but the rhythm, excitement and love for the game helped us. ... Full credit, I think the team shows very good character and we can be proud that they produce performances like this under the circumstances. It tells us we are right to trust them, that the attitude is right, the culture at the club is right and we keep on going.”

Chelsea remained third, 13 points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City, but increased their advantage over fifth-place Manchester United to nine points.

LEEDS CRASH AGAIN

Leeds United remain in severe danger of relegation after a 3-0 defeat against Aston Villa at Elland Road.

Jesse Marsch’s maiden home game in charge was another let-down after defeat at Leicester City last weekend in his first game since replacing Marcelo Bielsa.

Leeds have lost six successive league games and lie only two points above the relegation zone, having played two more matches than third-bottom Burnley.

Villa went ahead in the 22nd minute as Philippe Coutinho scored his fourth goal since joining on loan from Barcelona.

Matty Cash struck in the 65th minute and Calum Chambers wrapped up the points eight minutes later.

Newcastle United moved another step closer to survival with a 2-1 win at Southampton that extended their unbeaten league run to nine games.

Southampton went in front through Stuart Armstrong in the 25th minute.

New Zealand striker Chris Wood headed Newcastle’s equaliser in the 32nd minute with his first goal since signing from Burnley in January.

Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes marked his first start since his move from Olympique Lyonnais with a sumptuous back-heeled finish in the 52nd minute, lifting Eddie Howe’s side eight points clear of the relegation zone.

Wolverhampton Wanderers crushed second-bottom Watford 4-0 with goals from Raul Jimenez, Daniel Podence and Ruben Neves, as well as a Cucho Hernandez own goal.

Bruno Lage’s side ended a run of three successive defeats to leave Watford three points from safety after a fifth loss in their last seven matches.

Published in Dawn, March 12th, 2022