Football Review | Burnley 0 - 2 Chelsea

Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez helped deliver a comfortable win for Chelsea

This lifted them to second in the Premier League.

Author | Lauren W

Stadium | Turf Moor

The breakthrough arrived when Neto drifted in at the far post to meet Jamie Gittens’ cross, before Fernandez wrapped up the result with a late surge into the box after a swift counter involving Neto and substitute Marc Guiu.

Chelsea rarely needed to shift beyond second gear across the 90 minutes and were able to leave Moises Caicedo unused on the bench, with tougher assignments against Barcelona and Arsenal approaching.

That decision looked risky in the early stages as Burnley began on the front foot. Jaidon Anthony saw two efforts blocked, while Loum Tchaouna forced Robert Sanchez into action with a firm strike from the edge of the area.

Chelsea were slow to settle and offered little threat early on, aside from a tame long-range attempt from Trevoh Chalobah that Martin Dubravka dealt with comfortably.

But once Neto’s header gave them the lead they tightened their grip on the contest. Reece James was withdrawn at half-time, yet Chelsea grew more assured as the game wore on.

Neto struck the post soon after the restart and substitute Malo Gusto was denied by Dubravka, with further opportunities falling to Joao Pedro, Gittens, Fernandez and Marc Cucurella.

What happened in the second-half?

The second 45 minutes became an exercise in control for Chelsea as they restricted Burnley’s openings and dominated the ball, ending with close to 60% possession.

Zian Flemming blazed Burnley’s only notable second-half chance over the bar, half an hour after their previous effort, while substitutes Lyle Foster and Armando Broja were unable to shift the momentum.

Chelsea made several changes of their own and it was young forward Guiu who teed up Fernandez for the decisive second, cutting the ball back for a composed finish.

 Chelsea move up to second, although their closest challengers have a game in hand. Their opponents here remain in serious relegation trouble with so much of the season left to play.