An all-round solid performance from the title contenders ensured a comfortable win over the newly promoted Burnley. The new signings Costa and Fabregas delivered good performances respectively to keep Mourinho pleased. All the goals came in the first half and surprisingly it was Chelsea that suffered the early scare.
The match started off with both the teams getting fairly equal chances on the ball. The major surprise came in the 14th minute when Scott Arfield hit the net past Courtois. The goal turned out to be an ironical one for the visitors who have conceded the least number of goals last season. Chelsea failed to clear their lines to allow the hosts to work the ball back following a corner. Arfield got the assist from Jones and a clean hit into the roof of the net ensured the goal for the hosts. Though the home crowd got ecstatic after the opener, it was just a matter of 3 minutes as the new signing Diego Costa equalised for the blues. The goal was fired into the net by him courtesy of a spectacular cross from Ivanovich which hit the foot of the net before rebounding into the Spaniard’s legs. After the equalizer it was Chelsea who looked more offensive than the hosts.
Eden Hazard, Schurle and Fabregas enforced a great deal of pressure on the Burnley defence and it finally resulted in a goal at the 21 minute by Schurrle. A devilish assist from Fabregas was delivered to an unmarked Schurrle who finished the ball comfortably beyond the Burnley goal keeper Heaton. The away fans who remained dead silent after the Burnley goal started getting behind the team after this goal.
The latter part of the first half saw the visitors getting more into their rhythm by keeping possession and making Burnley defenders do the running. A major controversial decision by the referee Michel Oliver resulted in Diego Costa getting a yellow card. The Spaniard was brought down by Heaton who slightly clipped his leg but was fortunate enough to see the referee’s decision go the other way. The decision didn’t inflict any damage to the team as Ivanovich scored the third goal at 34 minute. A near post delivery from Fabregas swung in to the Serbian who landed the ball onto the top corner of the net. Chelsea still pressed hard after the goal but there were some good runs by Jutkiewicz only to go in vain.
The second half started off with an acrobatic save from Courtois from an Arfield shot. Last season’s championship top scorer Danny Ings had a few chances but he was unable to capitalise on them. Chelsea meanwhile looked to keep the possession with Hazard, Schurrle and Costa providing the drive. The team looked less offensive compared to first half but still continued to look for a fourth goal. Schurrle was replaced by Willian and Oscar who looked less impressive of the lot was replaced by Mikel. The 84 minute saw the club legend Didier Drogba back in his Chelsea outfit as he was substituted for Hazard. Chelsea went on to hold and keep the possession till the final whistle was blown.
Overall the Blues made a professional display at Turf Moor with the new signings contributing to all the three goals. The team looks worthy of being tagged the title contenders with this performance. Burnley on the other hand can take many positives from this match especially from the early goal. The team can surely be a threat other less powerful teams in the premier league and could also improve their result from last time when they were in the Premier league (2009-10 season).
