Four goals in 22 second-half minutes helped Chelsea cruise to victory in their first Premier League game since owner Roman Abramovich said he will sell the club.
Manager Thomas Tuchel admitted news of the Russian billionaire’s decision had been a distraction, but his side did not show it at Turf Moor thanks to two goals from Kai Havertz, sandwiched between Reece James’ opener and Christian Pulisic’s close-range finish.
Burnley will rue missed opportunities when the scores were level as they fell to a second successive defeat to remain in the relegation zone.
Just after the half-hour mark, the hosts squandered a great chance. Ashley Westwood’s looped cross was misjudged by Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy, who only punched as far as Dwight McNeil. Somehow, with the goal gaping, he managed to shoot over the bar.
Chelsea had plenty of possession in the first half, but little cutting edge; Nick Pope was barely tested in the Burnley goal.
Almost immediately after the restart, though, James edged into a crowded area and kept his cool to fire emphatically across Pope.
Chelsea were soon three up and in total control. First, Pulisic’s pinpoint cross was guided home expertly by Havertz, before the German bundled James’ cross over the line.
Pulisic got in on the act 21 minutes from time, rounding off what turned out to be a comfortable afternoon for Chelsea.
Chelsea put tough week behind them
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Abramovich has made it clear he is looking for offers for the club, but the travelling support gave him their backing by chanting his name throughout the afternoon.
The Burnley fans responded with jeers on every occasion after both sides took part in a minute’s applause in solidarity with Ukraine at kick-off.
On the pitch Chelsea took their time asserting themselves but blew Burnley away from the moment the second half whistle blew.
After starting – and scoring – in the FA Cup victory at Luton on Wednesday, Romelu Lukaku returned to the bench as Havertz took centre stage again.
James’ impact on the right could not be understated, given he helped open the game up with the first goal.
Burnley struggling to pull away from trouble
After back-to-back wins in February, the Clarets seemed to be stepping into gear at the right time in their survival bid,.
However, having twice failed to climb out of the bottom three this week, questions will be asked.
There were positive spells in the first half as they made life tough for Chelsea, but Aaron Lennon and McNeil failed to capitalise when it mattered.
For all his impressive displays and plaudits since joining in January, Wout Weghorst has scored only one goal and he struggled to make an impact on Saturday.
Player of the match
HavertzKai Havertz
Burnley
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Squad number1Player namePopeAverage rating
4.75
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Squad number14Player nameRobertsAverage rating
4.70
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Squad number8Player nameBrownhill
Average rating4.65
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Squad number9Player nameWeghorst
Average rating4.63
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Squad number18Player nameWestwood
Average rating4.57
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Squad number17Player nameLennon
Average rating4.57
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Squad number11Player nameMcNeil
Average rating4.55
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Squad number22Player nameCollins
Average rating4.45
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Squad number3Player nameTaylor
Average rating4.35
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Squad number5Player nameTarkowski
Average rating4.34
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Squad number20Player nameCornet
Average rating4.31
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Squad number19Player nameRodriguez
Average rating4.24
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Squad number10Player nameBarnes
Average rating3.74
Chelsea
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Squad number29Player nameHavertz
Average rating8.28
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Squad number24Player nameJames
Average rating8.20
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Squad number8Player nameKovacic
Average rating7.80
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Squad number6Player nameThiago Silva
Average rating7.75
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Squad number7Player nameKanté
Average rating7.68
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Squad number2Player nameRüdiger
Average rating7.64
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Squad number10Player namePulisic
Average rating7.63
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Squad number12Player nameLoftus-Cheek
Average rating7.61
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Squad number11Player nameWerner
Average rating7.58
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Squad number16Player nameMendy
Average rating7.46
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Squad number19Player nameMount
Average rating7.46
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Squad number14Player nameChalobah
Average rating7.43
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Squad number5Player nameJorginho
Average rating7.16
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Squad number17Player nameSaúl
Average rating6.93
Line-ups
Burnley
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Pope
- 14Roberts
- 22Collins
- 5Tarkowski
- 3Taylor
- 17Lennon
- 18WestwoodBooked at 89mins
- 8Brownhill
- 11McNeil
- 19RodriguezSubstituted forCornetat 63′minutes
- 9WeghorstSubstituted forBarnesat 78′minutesBooked at 84mins
Substitutes
- 2Lowton
- 4Cork
- 10Barnes
- 13Hennessey
- 20Cornet
- 26Bardsley
- 28Long
- 37Thomas
- 38Richardson
Chelsea
Formation 3-4-2-1
- 16Mendy
- 14Chalobah
- 6Thiago Silva
- 2Rüdiger
- 24JamesSubstituted forKovacicat 70′minutes
- 7KantéSubstituted forLoftus-Cheekat 70′minutes
- 5Jorginho
- 17Saúl
- 19MountSubstituted forWernerat 78′minutes
- 10Pulisic
- 29Havertz
Substitutes
- 1Arrizabalaga
- 4Christensen
- 8Kovacic
- 9Lukaku
- 11Werner
- 12Loftus-Cheek
- 22Ziyech
- 23Kenedy
- 31Sarr
- Referee:
- Andre Marriner
Match Stats
Live Text
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Match ends, Burnley 0, Chelsea 4.
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Second Half ends, Burnley 0, Chelsea 4.
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Ashley Westwood (Burnley) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Mateo Kovacic (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Ashley Westwood (Burnley).
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Offside, Chelsea. Antonio Rüdiger tries a through ball, but Ruben Loftus-Cheek is caught offside.
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Ashley Barnes (Burnley) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Jorginho (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Ashley Barnes (Burnley).
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Christian Pulisic (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Josh Brownhill (Burnley).
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Offside, Burnley. Ashley Barnes tries a through ball, but Maxwel Cornet is caught offside.
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Substitution, Burnley. Ashley Barnes replaces Wout Weghorst.
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Substitution, Chelsea. Timo Werner replaces Mason Mount.
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Foul by Mason Mount (Chelsea).
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Connor Roberts (Burnley) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Substitution, Chelsea. Mateo Kovacic replaces Reece James.
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Substitution, Chelsea. Ruben Loftus-Cheek replaces N’Golo Kanté.
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Goal! Burnley 0, Chelsea 4. Christian Pulisic (Chelsea) right footed shot from very close range to the bottom left corner.
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Attempt blocked. Maxwel Cornet (Burnley) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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