(Sporting Alert) — Demba Ba has been given the nod to lead Chelsea’s attack in today’s Barclays Premier League game with Norwich City at Carrow Road.
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Ba comes in for the suspended Fernando Torres, who also picked up a knee injury in midweek and is out for three weeks.
Samuel Eto’o has been named on the bench alongside Eden Hazard, but manager Jose Mourinho has decided to start Juan Mata, who joins Oscar, Andre Schurrle, Ramires and Frank Lampard in midfield.
Gary Cahill is on the bench with David Luiz and captain John Terry starting at the back as Chelsea go in search of their first away win in the EPL this season.
“It is time for us to win away from home,” Mata said. “We have drawn a few games but we need three points, we need to be consistent.”
Chris Hughton made just one change to his Norwich City side with defender and captain Sebastien Bassong returning to the starting lineup after missing the win at Stoke last time out with a hamstring injury.
Striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel, who has been struggling for goals so far this season, believes he’s ready to kick on and start contributing goals.
Norwich City v Chelsea
Norwich: Ruddy, Martin, Turner, Bassong, Olsson, Snodgrass, Howson, Fer, Tettey, Pilkington, van Wolfswinkel.
Subs: Whittaker, Johnson, Hooper, Bunn, Elmander, Redmond, Ryan Bennett.
Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Luiz, Terry, Cole, Ramires, Lampard, Mata, Oscar, Schurrle, Ba.
Subs: Essien, Hazard, Willian, Schwarzer, Cahill, Azpilicueta, Eto’o.
Referee: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire)
