Chelsea Navigate Potential Pitfall with Professional Burnley Display
Following a week disrupted by an unfortunate domestic injury to key player Cole Palmer, Chelsea demonstrated resilience and focus to secure a 2-0 victory away at Burnley. Without their influential attacker, who sustained a fractured toe after a collision with a door at home, Enzo Maresca's side avoided any further mishaps on the pitch at Turf Moor to claim all three points.
First-Half Control and Clinical Edge
The match began with Burnley showing early promise, utilising balls over the top to target the pace of their wingers, Loum Tchaouna and Jaidon Anthony. However, the home side's final decision-making was lacking, with crosses often wayward and attacks breaking down at the crucial moment. Chelsea, meanwhile, appeared sloppy in possession initially, feeling the absence of Moisés Caicedo in midfield following his demanding international duty with Ecuador.
The visitors gradually found their rhythm and began to threaten. A moment of controversy arose when Robert Sánchez's goal kick was handled by Trevoh Chalobah before play restarted, a potential penalty incident that Burnley curiously failed to appeal. Chelsea's breakthrough arrived as the half progressed. Marc Cucurella, causing consistent problems with his drifting runs from left-back, was instrumental in the build-up. The move culminated in a curling cross from Jamie Gittens, which was met with a powerful, far-post header from Pedro Neto for his third league goal in five games.
Second-Half Assurance and Sealing the Result
After the interval, Chelsea exerted greater control, effectively nullifying any lingering Burnley threat. The Clarets, who had been competitive for large parts of the first half, now struggled to create meaningful chances. The prospect of an equaliser seemed remote, with a second Chelsea goal looking far more probable.
Neto came close to doubling his tally, unleashing a fierce low drive that cannoned back off the base of the post. Despite a late attacking overhaul from the home side, they continued to lack the necessary cutting edge. Chelsea, while not always fluent in the final third, put the result beyond doubt with a swift counter-attack. Neto, a persistent threat, broke up the right wing before finding substitute Marc Guiu, who unselfishly set up Enzo Fernández to slot home and confirm the victory.
The final whistle confirmed a professional, if not entirely spectacular, performance from the Blues. They managed the game effectively after taking the lead, with the goal-scoring contributions from Neto and Fernández ensuring they escaped Lancashire without any accidental slips on the league table.
