Chelsea ease past Burnley to go second in table

Premier League

Burnley 0 – 2 Chelsea FT

Pedro Neto blows a kiss into the crowd after opening the scoring for Chelsea against Burnley at Turf Moor — Pedro Neto scored his fourth goal of the season in all competitions for Chelsea [Getty Images]

Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez delivered a comfortable 2-0 win at Burnley to lift Chelsea to second in the Premier League.

The opener came when Neto met Jamie Gittens’ cross at the far post, while Fernandez sealed victory with a late run into the box after a counter-attack involving Neto and substitute Marc Guiu.

The Blues rarely moved out of second gear during the 90 minutes and were able to rest unused substitute Moises Caicedo, with matches against Barcelona and Arsenal to come.

However, resting players looked a gamble early on as Burnley started brightly, with Jaidon Anthony having two early shots blocked and Loum Tchaouna forcing a save from Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez with a strike from the edge of the box.

Chelsea started slowly and tested Burnley keeper Martin Dubvravka with a tame long-range effort from Trevoh Chalobah.

But after Neto’s header put them ahead they took control, withdrawing captain Reece James at half-time yet growing increasingly dominant.

Neto struck a post soon after the interval, while substitute Malo Gusto saw a shot saved amid further attempts from Joao Pedro, Gittens, Fernandez and Marc Cucurella.

Chelsea’s second-half display was largely about game management as they gave little away and dominated possession, finishing with about 60%.

In-form striker Zian Flemming fired Burnley’s only second-half chance over, 30 minutes after his side’s previous effort, and substitutes Lyle Foster and Armando Broja could not inspire a comeback.

After Chelsea made several changes of their own, young striker Guiu provided Fernandez with a cutback to turn home the second goal.

Burnley remain 17th in the table and could drop into the relegation zone later on Saturday, with Nottingham Forest and West Ham still to play.

Chelsea climbed to second, having played a game more than their rivals.

Burnley analysis: A lack of quality in attack?

When this weekend is over Burnley will likely be among the bottom three teams in the league.

Wins over Sunderland, Leeds and Wolves showed they are capable of beating fellow promoted sides or relegation-threatened teams on their day, but questions remain about their underlying quality, particularly in both boxes, given their other results.

Burnley conceded late goals against Manchester United and Liverpool earlier in the season but were well beaten on Saturday.

Chelsea dominated after Burnley failed to capitalise on a bright start in front of their own fans.

Anthony was too ponderous when presented with chances to shoot and saw two efforts blocked, while crosses failed to find their mark and Flemming blazed his only chance over.

It was a familiar story for Burnley, who played well at West Ham before the international break only to succumb to set-piece goals.

Flemming had been on a run of three goals in four matches beforehand, but there appears to be a lack of firepower at the Lancashire club.

That lack of quality may ultimately mean Burnley are relegated again despite their best efforts under manager Scott Parker.

Burnley had a few penalty shouts, including on where Trevoh Chalobah handled the ball in his own box after goalkeeper Robert Sanchez appeared to play out a back pass.

Parker said of the unusual incident: «To be honest with you, at the time I didn’t even notice. So, the ref or anyone was not in communication. I have just seen it back.

«Yeah, it does look like a penalty. I remember one last year being given, Tyrone Mings, Villa, that was it. The ball’s live. Keepers rolled it. You could tell by his next action that the ball’s live.

«So, if you’re really looking at the detail of it, spots the ball, plays to the centre half and then makes another angle because the ball’s in play.

«I’m not sitting here being critical, but I suppose that is why we got VAR. But maybe I don’t know whether it went to it. I don’t know whether they looked at it. It’s one of them things.»

Chelsea analysis: Cucurella exceptional

Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella was outstanding in both defensive and attacking moments, inspiring the breakthrough goal.

The Blues were not at their best at Turf Moor, but his unlikely run into a striker’s position helped Neto break the deadlock.

Roaming from his usual left-back role, Cucurella found himself in a number nine position, brought the ball down like a target man and laid it off for Gittens to cross for Neto’s header.

That clever movement proved impossible to track, and a subsequent run into midfield created a chance for Liam Delap, which he squandered. Delap now has only one goal in 13 matches since joining Chelsea.

Cucurella repeated that same movement into a striker’s position twice in the second half, mounting a further blocked shot and producing a similar lay-off to a team-mate.

Maresca said: «I think also the first goal against Wolves, if you remember, Cucu was inside the box when we scored that goal, today again.

«It’s part of the game plan. Again, sometimes we use the full-back in that way, sometimes in a different way, but the important thing is that they are all aware of what they have to do.»

There is no doubt Cucurella was Chelsea’s star on the day, and he is in the conversation alongside Cole Palmer and Caicedo as one of the club’s very best players.