Hughton ready for challenge

Chris Hughton is bracing Norwich for a "formidable" Boxing Day challenge from a Chelsea side he feels could still be in the hunt for the title.

Last Updated: 24/12/12 at 14:44 Post Comment   

Hughton: Canaries host Blues

Hughton: Canaries host Blues

The Canaries were beaten 4-1 at Stamford Bridge earlier this season and they face Chelsea just three days after the Blues stunned Aston Villa 8-0.

The Chelsea supporters may not be entirely convinced by manager Rafael Benitez, but Hughton agrees with the Spaniard that their title bid is not over yet.

Chelsea are third in the league, 11 points behind leaders Manchester United and seven behind Manchester City with a game in hand.

"They have great attacking options. We experienced that at their place a couple of months ago," Hughton told reporters.

"Victor Moses is starting to show his real quality now. Fernando Torres is hitting very good form.

"The fact they kept a clean sheet against Aston Villa as well shows the quality and depth they have throughout the squad.

"David Luiz playing in midfield is a role everybody felt was a role he could do and he showed some real quality.

"They are fairly formidable. They are placed very well in the league with a game in hand. They are still in the Capital One Cup with a great chance to progress (to the final).

"At the moment, Chelsea are on a high and he [Benitez] will be judged on that.

"He will perhaps look at the two teams above them at the moment and think 'will they go through the season without dropping points?'

"That is very difficult. Swansea showed against Manchester United that everybody is fighting. If they (Chelsea) put a good run together then everything is possible."

Norwich will be determined to dent those title prospects by returning to winning ways after their proud 10-match unbeaten Premier League run was ended by West Brom.

The Canaries are 10th in the league, on the same number of points as Liverpool and Stoke.

"For a club like ourselves to go unbeaten in this division (for 10 games) was a fantastic run," said Hughton, who is preparing Norwich to face Chelsea and Manchester City in the space of three days.

"That has gone now and we have two very tough home games to look forward to.

"If someone had asked if would we be happy with the league position and the points we have got at this stage of the season, we would have said 'yes'.

"But it is about trying to continue the good things we have been doing. A good thing for us is we have been in every game. We certainly deserved a draw from the game at West Brom.

"These are the games you have to look forward to. We will make sure we are well prepared."

Norwich have been boosted by the return to fitness of striker Grant Holt, who missed the defeat to West Brom with a hamstring injury but is set to start against Chelsea.

Norwich will be without defender Steven Whittaker, who has suffered a recurrence of a hip injury, with Russell Martin in line to start.

Ryan Bennett is also back in training and Hughton is positive about his chances of featuring against either Chelsea or Manchester City on December 29.

Football365 Facebook Fan Page

The Football365 fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

I

thought you were describing Bart Simpson there from the episode where he sold his soul to Milhouse. I wonder do automatic doors work for Michael Owen.

sulman
The Evaporation Of Michael Owen

R

afa Benitez has won more trophies (10) over the past 11 years than the rest of the current managers in the EPL combined, except for Alex Ferguson.

angry bird
Chelsea duo salute Benitez

T

he day Tonys hat goes missing for some bantz will be different story altogether..

TheBrestEver
Stoke probe 'banter gone wild'

Footer 365

Sigurdsson: Keeping Bale vital

Gylfi Sigurdsson knows it is vital Tottenham keep hold of Gareth Bale this summer if they want to return to the Champions League.

Scotland call for uncapped trio

Uncapped trio Gordon Greer, Ryan Jack and Tony Watt have been named in the Scotland squad for the World Cup qualifier against Croatia.

Premier League: Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva hopes for injury-free summer

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has vowed to pick up where he left off next season given a summer free of injury.

Mail Box

Should Chelsea Be Worried About Jose Return?

After a disappointing end to his three years at Real Madrid, could Jose Mourinho struggle to bring immediate success if he completes his anticipated return to Chelsea?

What Would United Be Like In The Pub?

The Premier League season has only been over for about 20 hours and already we're well into the summer-type Mailbox. Plus, a shout for the 2014 player of the year...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved