Norwich City have forced current Premier League Champions Chelsea to a FA Cup Third Round replay after drawing 0-0 at Carrow Road.
Blues manager Antonio Conte had heavily rotated his side, making nine changes from the team that drew 2-2 against Arsenal on Wednesday evening, which proved to severely backfire.
It was the first time that they had drawn since May 2014 and their first stalemate at the home of the Canaries since January 2012.
David Luiz was making his first Chelsea start for 13 matches after recovering from a knee injury; he nearly gifted the Canaries with an opening goal after his sloppy clearance was almost taken advantage of by Alex Pritchard.
Willian came close to putting the visitors ahead with a long range strike early in the second half, but his low and driven effort was denied by a good save by Angus Gunn.
The Brazilian again tested Gunn two minutes later, however, after beating two Norwich defenders to work his way into the penalty area, Willian’s effort went straight towards the home goalkeeper.
Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Pritchard again came close midway through the second half, with his deflected shot almost looping over Blues goalkeeper Willy Caballero.
Defender Luiz almost scored his first goal since October, with his long-range free kick narrowly going over the frame of the goal.
Davide Zappacosta also had a speculative effort to put the visitors ahead deep into second half stoppage time, but his long range volley whistled past the post.
The goalless draw was Chelsea goalkeeper Willy Caballero’s first clean sheet for the South West Londoners since he signed from Manchester City at the start of the season.
The draw means that the two sides will face each other in a replay at Stamford Bridge later this month.
