Burnley 0-2 Chelsea: Pedro Neto & Enzo Fernandez Lift Chelsea into Second in Premier League

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 when Chalobah placed his hand on the ball after Sanchez passed it to him following a restart, then passed it back to Sanchez.

Parker said: “At the time I didn’t even notice. I have just seen it back.

“It does look like a penalty. I remember one last year being given – Tyrone Mings. The ball’s live – keeper has rolled it. You could tell by his next action that the ball’s live.

“I’m not sitting here being critical, but I suppose that is why we got VAR. I don’t know whether they looked at it.”

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: “It’s part of the gameplan. 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 best players.

Source: BBC