London (AFP)

Chelsea preserved their place on the provisional podium of the Premier League by beating Tuesday evening the Norwich red lantern, already relegated (1-0) thanks to a goal by the indispensable Olivier Giroud in the first match of the 36th day.

The Blues and their Blue, once again decisive, were reassured after their big setback at Sheffield (3-0 defeat, without Giroud). They remain out of reach (4 points) of the two other candidates for the next Champions League, Leicester and Manchester United.

The Leicester Foxes will receive Thursday Sheffield United, more than ever candidate for the Europa League, while the Red Devils, slowed by their draw against Southampton on Monday (2-2), will move on the ground of Crystal Palace (14th) .

Frank Lampard's men knew it was absolutely necessary to take the three points against Norwich, because their penultimate match of the season will lead them to Liverpool, already crowned champion, before a final of the season against Leicester.

Despite constant domination, they had to wait for the stoppages of the first period to take the advantage, when Giroud took over the lead (45th + 3) a center from the American Christian Pulisic.

The Frenchman, visibly very fit, had already shown himself dangerous several times, in particular on a diverted shot on his crossbar by the Dutch keeper of Norwich, Tim Krul (20th), history to preserve the chances of the promoted relegated.

Then Giroud gave Pulisic a nice tossed ball which forced Krul to make his best save in the first period (36th) and a header from Kurt Zouma passed right by the cages of the former Newcastle goalkeeper (37th).

At the break, Norwich had limited breakage. The debates were a little more balanced for a quarter of an hour, but the Blues goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga was not worried. Finally, Chelsea's defense, even if it remains the most permeable in the Top 10 (49 goals conceded), is still on the provisional podium of the Premier League.

© 2020 AFP