05/01/2002  Norwich 0 Chelsea 0
 
Chelsea are used to the feeling that the world is against 
them. This time, it was the sustained attacking threat of 
Norwich as the First Division side came mightily close to an 
FA Cup upset.

Only the brilliance of Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini 
prevented the home side clinching a deserved winner to cap a 
week to forget for the West London club.

After the 'Tel Aviv Six' and the 'Heathrow Four', now it 
was the 'Knightsbridge One' under fire as Chelsea arrived at 
Carrow Road with unflattering headlines yet again surrounding 
the club.

The player at the heart of the latest controversy, John 
Terry, was dropped from the starting line-up after being 
arrested and charged with affray but came off the bench at 
half-time to help underpin his side's survival.

At times, it was almost too close for comfort. But on each 
occasion, Cudicini came to their rescue as Chelsea side - 
without a shot on target all game - scrambled a replay back at 
Stamford Bridge.

The alternative for coach Claudio Ranieri did not bear 
thinking about after a week in which his side started as title 
contenders after winning at Newcastle ended with defeat at 
home by Southampton and Terry arrested and charged.

Chelsea have adopted a siege mentality in the wake of heavy 
criticism of six players not travelling to Israel for their 
UEFA Cup tie, the drunken antics of four others back in 
September and Graeme Le Saux's disciplinary record.

They similarly found themselves with their backs to the 
wall at Carrow Road in the second-half, although they had 
dominated the opening 45 minutes without ever threatening to 
make the breakthrough.

Marcel Desailly replaced Terry as one of five changes but 
he had little to do as Norwich were without leading strikers 
Iwan Roberts and David Nielsen - and it showed early on.

Nigel Worthington's side concentrated upon reaching 
half-time still level as they packed their defence, worked 
tirelessly in midfield and attempted hopeful long balls 
forward on the break.

Invariably, these were mopped up by Desailly and William 
Gallas, only for Chelsea, even with Gianfranco Zola restored 
to the side in an unfamiliar right-sided role, to struggle to 
deliver a telling final ball.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink came the closest when he fired just 
inches wide, while Desailly headed Graeme Le Saux's free-kick 
narrowly over the crossbar and Zola was twice well off 
target.

Otherwise, Norwich, who had to replace the injured Phil 
Mulryne with Darel Russell as early as the 18th minute, held 
their own as the match became embroiled in a midfield 
stalemate.

Chelsea reorganised at the break, bringing on Terry for 
Desailly and Mario Melchiot for Albert Ferrer to reunite the 
defence which had conceded just five goal in 11 games before 
the 4-2 defeat by Southampton.

The interval, however, was the cue for Norwich to come 
alive, with the home side now infused with far more attacking 
endeavour.

Chelsea were increasingly indebted to Cudicini, who denied 
Paul McVeigh and Alex Notman, while William Gallas produced a 
superb covering tackle on Marc Libbra as he burst clear.

Former Tottenham winger McVeigh led the way as he probed 
down the left flank, while even Darren Kenton joined in as 
Cudicini had to parry the full-back's thunderous drive.

Then Norwich introduced Mark Rivers and he almost 
immediately made an impact only for Cudicini to produce an 
incredible double-save to deny him.

By the end, Chelsea were hanging on for a replay and 
Norwich emerged with much credit. In fact, Cudicini was all 
that prevented an awful week turning from bad to much worse 
for Ranieri's side.