There’s no disgrace in losing to a Premier League side via penalty shootout, especially when that side are the reigning champions. That’s exactly what Norwich City did last night in at Stamford Bridge, the Championship side taking Chelsea all the way to penalties in a valiant and committed performance that suggests Daniel Farke is taking the Canaries in the right direction.

And central to that display, which effectively ended in a 1-1 draw, was centre-back Timm Klose – an absolute rock at the heart of defence but also one of Norwich’s most effective performers going forward as well.

Indeed, the Switzerland international weighed in with three tackles, four interceptions and five clearances, while his bravery was highlighted by a whopping four blocks to keep Chelsea’s attacking cast at bay.

Offensively too though, Klose made key contributions; his assist for Jamal Lewis’ last-minute equaliser in stoppage time was one of three chances the 6 foot 4 defender created, and he often pushed forward from the back to emerge as one of Norwich’s key driving forces. He did, however, by his own admission, get away with a foul in the box on Chelsea winger Willian.

“I think it was a penalty. I think I caught him if I’m being totally honest.”

But that shouldn’t take away from what was an immense individual display from Klose, and a team performance that should breed huge confidence into Carrow Road.

Norwich are still only six points away from the playoffs and if they can take the positives from last night’s game into the rest of the season, they have a real chance of making it into the top six by the end of May.

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