Not to be disappointed I prevailed and thoroughly enjoyed a game that was eagerly contested by two teams of youngsters keen to impress their peers. I have to admit that on a first full viewing of the Chelsea Academy I was more than impressed. You have to remember that these 'kids' are aged between 16 and 18 and some like Michael Mancienne, Jonas Elmer, Scott Sinclair, James Simmonds, Jack Cork, to name more thana team LOL have been good enough to represent the reserves during the course of this season.

The first twenty minutes or so was thoroughly entertaining - end to end. On three minutes Mancienne had a shot cleared off the line. A few minutes later Mancienne was involved when Norwich's Fisk hit a shot that deflected off Mancienne and flew past the diving Chelsea goalkeeper Hamann. 1-0 to Norwich.

Minutes later, right back Harry Worley took possession of the ball inside the Chelsea half, went forward, continued forward and from 30 yards out, hit a screamer that although the Norwich 'keeper got a touch, the ball flew right into the top corner of the net.

Once Chelsea equalised so quickly, the heads of Norwich dipped and they struggled to keep with the pace of Chelsea for the remainder of the game and to be fair it was a surprise that the game went into extra-time. But it did and on 97 minutes and to be honest harsh on Norwich, the ref awarded Chelsea a penalty. The only way that I can described Chelsea's penalty award was that it was in very similar circumstances to Tottenham's award v Portsmouth, but Chelsea's penalty looked like it was outside the area.

Up stepped Scott Sinclair and it was 2-1 to Chelsea. The only time Chelsea struggled to contain the Norwich threat was in the last ten minutes or so when young Chelsea goalkeeper, Nick Hamann was called upon to make two very good saves. Nick's remarkable concentration levels helped his team to a 4th round meeting between Brighton or Port Vale which is away.

40 Years A Blue