Chelsea made to work by Norwich but Olivier Giroud does just enough

Frank Lampard admitted Chelsea were struggling with nerves after Olivier Giroud scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over already-relegated Norwich at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.

The victory opens up a four-point lead for third-placed Chelsea over Leicester and Manchester United, who both have a game in hand later this week.

“I want more but that can wait. Where we are at as a team and our position in the table, three points is everything,” said Lampard.

“If we want to really move on then it can be better. It’s not easy, there is a nervy feeling there for understandable reasons.”

“He’s a big character for us and scoring important goals,” added Lampard.

Giroud saw a number of chances come and go in the first half as an attempted lob over Tim Krul fell gently into the Dutch ‘keeper’s arms before he sliced well over the bar when unmarked inside the area. Just as Norwich looked set to hold out until the break Giroud shrugged off Timm Klose to connect with Pulisic’s cross for his fifth goal in eight games.

“I missed some I don’t miss usually,” said Giroud. “I lost a bit of confidence but my desire to score was bigger, so I just tried to stay focused and on the cross of Christian I anticipated this header.”