toptop
Chelsea
breezed past Burnley with a convincing 3-0 victory at Stamford Bridge, ending a
run of two home Premier League games without a goal.
Frank Lampard's side had been beaten by Bournemouth and Southampton in their
recent home league encounters, but never looked like losing this time around,
even when Jeff Hendrick nodded home in the 18th minute, which was correctly
ruled out for offside by the linesman and VAR.
Jorginho (27) converted from the spot not long after, with Tammy Abraham (38)
doubling the lead before half-time. Callum Hudson-Odoi (49) swept home the third
for his first Premier League goal, which was given after a brief check from VAR.
Chelsea remain in fourth after their victory, five points ahead of Manchester
United, while Burnley have lost their fourth successive Premier League game and
are four points above the relegation places in 15th, although a number of teams
below them are still to play this weekend.
How Chelsea brushed Burnley aside
Chelsea began the game well - with Ben Mee and Charlie Taylor throwing their
bodies in the way of a couple of Willian efforts in the opening exchanges - but
it was Burnley who had the ball in the net first. Mee nodded a free-kick across
the face of goal, which Hendrick headed home, but the linesman's flag was
instantly raised for offside. VAR checked the decision and concurred, with the
goal remaining disallowed.
Just before the half an hour mark, and Chelsea finally took advantage of their
first-half pressure. They were awarded a penalty as Willian was hacked down in
the area by Matt Lowton, who instantly had his hand raised after in apology as
referee Kevin Friend pointed to the spot. It was a cool conversion from Jorginho
too, who sent goalkeeper Nick Pope the wrong way.
Player ratings
Chelsea: Kepa (6), James (8), Rudiger (7), Christensen (7),
Azpilicueta (7), Jorginho (7), Barkley (7), Mount (8), Willian (7), Hudson-Odoi
(7), Abraham (8).
Subs used: None
Burnley: Pope (7), Lowton (6), Tarkowski (6), Mee (6), Taylor
(6), Hendrick (6), Westwood (6), Cork (6), McNeil (6), Lennon (5), Wood (5).
Subs used: Vydra (5).
Man of the match: Tammy Abraham.
Chelsea doubled their lead in the 38th minute with another well-taken goal.
Reece James fired a cross into the area from the right-hand side and Abraham
rose above his two markers to power a header past the outstretched hands of
Pope.
It took just four minutes for the hosts to add their third after the break.
Cesar Azpilcueta fizzed a sensational ball through the area, which just grazed
over the head of Abraham in the middle. But Hudson-Odoi was lurking towards the
back post - well ahead of his defender - to hook the ball home before wheeling
away to celebrate.
However, VAR intervened with a suspicion of offside, which hinged on whether
Abraham had touched the ball in the build-up as Hudson-Odoi would have been
offside if he had. After a short review though, VAR judged Abraham to have
missed Azpilicueta's delivery and the goal stood.
Chelsea continued to push for a fourth in the second half and had three glorious
chances in under ten minutes. Firstly, Abraham sent a shot into the body of Pope
at the near post with Willian skying the rebound. Abraham was involved again
minutes later in a carbon copy of his first-half goal, but this time he could
only send his header well past the upright.
James then sent a fizzing ball in from the right, but it just missed the
outstretched foot of Abraham before Willian once again sent the loose ball
flashing into the stands. But Chelsea never looked troubled at the other end as
they saw out the game professionally to claim their first three points in two
Stamford Bridge games.
Man of the match - Tammy Abraham
In a complete Chelsea performance, it was difficult to choose just one man of
the match. But Abraham continues to impress, and arguably just edges it with his
well-taken goal in the first half.
In the summer, much was made about a lack of striking options for Chelsea, but
it turns out those worries were unfounded with Abraham continuing to show he has
what it takes to be the main man up front - no wonder Olivier Giroud is looking
for a move elsewhere.
He turned home a wonderful James cross, easily beating his defenders, and
continued to create for Chelsea throughout the second half, although a lack of
finishing cost him a hat-trick. He also won 75 per cent of his aerial duels -
the most in the team - and will be looking forward to a fruitful second half of
the season.
Opta stats
Chelsea registered their first league double against Burnley since the 2009-10
campaign under Carlo Ancelotti.
Tammy Abraham has scored 13 Premier League goals for Chelsea this season - Frank
Lampard is the only Englishman to score more in a single campaign in the
competition for the club (3 occasions).
No Chelsea defender has had a hand in more goals in all competitions this season
than Cesar Azpilicueta (3 goals, 3 assists).
What's next?
Both teams are live on Sky Sports next weekend. Chelsea will travel to Newcastle
on Saturday (kick-off 5.30pm) while Burnley welcome Leicester on Renault Super
Sunday (kick-off 2pm).
Click Here For Official Team Sheet
Teams
Chelsea Kepa, James, Rudiger, Christensen, Azpilicueta (c),
Barkley, Jorginho, Mount, Hudson-Odoi, Abraham, Willian
Subs Not Used Caballero, Zouma, Tomori, Emerson, Kovacic,
Pedro, Batshuayi
Booked
Goals Jorginho 27 (pen), Abraham 38, Hudson-Odoi 49
Burnley Pope, Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee (c), Taylor, Lennon, Cork,
Westwood, McNeil, Hendrick (Vydra 73), Wood
Subs Not Used Hart, Bardsley, Gibson, Long, Koiki, Pieters
Booked McNeil, Westwood, Lennon
Goals
Attendance 40,396
Referee Kevin Friend