Chelsea interim manager Guus Hiddink named two 20-year-olds in the Blues’ starting line-up against Norwich City, and both youngsters were directly involved in each of the away side’s goals at Carrow Road.
Brazilian youngster Kenedy started at left-back for Chelsea after Abdul Baba Rahman’s blunder cost the Blues a goal against Southampton last weekend. Meanwhile, Bertrand Traore has been making his mark for the Blues in 2016 — particularly in the FA Cup — and was given the opportunity to showcase his ability from the start on Wednesday, with Willian being given a rest.
Hiddink did not have to wait long to see his decisions being vindicated. Kenedy burst forward in the first minute, and scored a cracking long-range goal just 39 seconds into the match — the fastest goal of the 2015-2016 Premier League season thus far.
Meanwhile, Traore looked sharp throughout the game and set up Diego Costa just before half time to give Chelsea a two-goal cushion. Blues’ supporters were understandably delighted with the contributions of the two youngsters, and took to social media to heap praise on the duo.
Here are some of the best tweets from the game:
Kenedy has been criminally underused this season
— Simon Johnson (@sjstandardsport) March 1, 2016
Wins a win but could have been lot better. Traore and Kenedy did nothing wrong and loads right. You can give youngsters time and still win.
— Nick (@BlueTintedNick) March 1, 2016
Kenedy is ridiculously talented.
— ParkedTheBus (@ParkedTheBus) March 1, 2016
Kenedy doing his Roberto Carlos impression.
— Tweeds (@JoeTweedie) March 1, 2016
QUICKEST #BPL GOALS THIS SEASON:
Kenedy (Chelsea) 39 seconds
Ritchie (Bournemouth) 49s
Valencia (West Ham) 53s pic.twitter.com/IWTk0jWI2D— Premier League (@premierleague) March 1, 2016
Traore doing what Remy never did for me, impressing from the start. So good to see.
— Chelsea HQ (@Chelsea_HQ) March 1, 2016
Bertrand Traore making a big contribution was inevitable, but great to see Kenedy continue to make most of his opportunities as well! #cfc
— Jake Cohen (@JakeFCohen) March 1, 2016
How good has Traore been in the first half. Hasn’t put a foot wrong, very impressive from the lad! Hope he can bag himself a goal here.
— Paul Wentworth (@paultwentworth) March 1, 2016
Really liked Traore on the wing, does all the essentials and is a proper goalscorer, supports Costa well.
— S (@Sillinho10) March 1, 2016
Kenedy starts ✅
Traore starts ✅
Up to 8th ✅
Above Liverpool ✅
3 wins in a row ✅
Costa scores ✅
Kenedy scores ✅
Can’t argue with that #CFC— Andy Howie (@ChelsLad66) March 1, 2016
Kenedy goal. pic.twitter.com/c1qDPDQxur
— Mourinholic (@Mourinholic) March 1, 2016