Burnley 0-4 Chelsea: 5 Talking Points and Tactical Analysis, Premier League 2018/19

The Blues were unstoppable at Turf Moor
The Blues were unstoppable at Turf Moor

Chelsea struck four past a hapless Burnley side to extend their unbeaten start to the season in a game where they dominated and fired from all cylinders. Goals from Alvaro Morata, Ross Barkley, Willian and Ruben Loftus-Cheek sealed the deal for Sarri's men, who are giving the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool a real tussle at the top of the ladder.

The hosts began brightly but were outclassed by Chelsea's quality. The Blues now have 24 points from their 10 matches - with seven wins and three draws. Here are the major talking points from the game.


#1 Burnley start on the front foot but Chelsea settle in well

Chelsea took the lead soon after some sustained pressure from Burnley
Chelsea took the lead soon after some sustained pressure from Burnley

The Clarets looked a completely different outfit from the one that was mauled by Manchester City last weekend. They started off more comfortably, stuck to their positions and individual roles and kept it ticking.

They played their football smartly, feeding balls into the path of Johann Gudmundsson and the returning Robbie Brady. The latter also whipped a couple of fine set pieces into the box and almost scored with a volley when Arrizabalaga indecisively came out of his lines to grab hold of the ball.

On an overall note, Dyche's men were looking calm and composed in possession. They were also disallowing Chelsea any space to work the ball with, especially in midfield - where Jack Cork had every blade of grass covered.

The Blues albeit, illustrated why they are unbeaten so far this season by finding their quick, safe passes. Barkley smashed a volley onto the ground, which luckily fell to Alvaro Morata's head. However, Joe Hart was equal to it. Moments later, Willian was set free by the same man, but the post denied him.

Those five-six minutes of Chelsea pressure bore fruit as Barkley teed up Morata - who made no mistake and gave his side the lead.

Minutes wore on and the visitors settled with over 60% possession as they knocked it around well and started to look more purposeful and dangerous in the higher thirds of the pitch.

#2 Morata is clearly a confidence player

Morata's goal gave him a lot of confidence
Morata's goal gave him a lot of confidence

Alvaro Morata broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute to put Chelsea ahead. Ross Barkley set him up with a beautiful through-ball. Now, rewind 20 minutes and analyse his performance.

The Spaniard lost the ball on three occasions while trying to have a feel of it, misplaced a simple pass and never dropped his shoulders to go goal-side. He also went down too softly, many would argue.

However, after his well-crafted goal on the back of a clinical finish, the 26-year-old looked a completely different player on the pitch. All of a sudden, he made a couple of outstanding runs off Tarkowski and Mee, linked up play much better and looked far more composed on the ball.

He also tested Hart once on the volley and wrong-footed a Claret shirt to almost double the lead. Although he should have converted at least one of those chances, signs looked promising.

Chelsea's most expensive striker proved what he's got under his belt with a fine first-half staging. If he can find this rhythm more consistently, Morata will surely replicate the form he was in at the start of last season.

#3 Chelsea's midfield trio light it up for Maurizio Sarri

Ross Barkley continued from where he left off
Ross Barkley continued from where he left off

It took a while to settle, but N'Golo Kante's personal brilliance, Jorginho's guile and Ross Barkley's aggressive yet astute approach got the Blues up and running.

Each of them were remarkable in their respective roles, throughout the match. Starting off with Jorginho, the Brazil-born Italian pulled the strings in midfield and most importantly, brought about a sense of calm in the early stages. He orchestrated proceedings, organized Chelsea's shape and was lively to almost every danger Burnley posed. The former Napoli midfielder also sprayed a few exquisite passes along with the simple ones.

N'Golo Kante was as energetic as ever, hanging around the right flank, combining play with Loftus-Cheek and Azpilicuetam contributing to the high press and creating a couple of chances as well. He was safe and industrious in midfield.

Ross Barkley though, was the pick of the bunch. Leaving aside his direct contributions to Chelsea's goals, the midfielder was simply world-class. He made a stunning four interceptions in the first-half, won two 50-50 battles and passed it around well.

He was at the center of the happenings as far as Chelsea were concerned. While Jorginho dropped deeper and Kante played down the right, it was Barkley who enjoyed a lot of space in the center of the park.

He knitted and started quite a few attacks, shrugged off Burnley's physically demanding outset and contributed directly to two goals. He illustrated vision and calmly set up Morata for the first goal.

During his goal, the Everton academy product had a couple of options either side of him, but chose to go alone. He struck it with his left boot and beautifully found the right bottom corner.

#4 Burnley were far off the pace in the second-half

Tarkowski and Mee were up for a huge task
Tarkowski and Mee were up for a huge task

Apart from the first 15 minutes or so, the Burnley players looked like passengers, especially throughout the second period of the match.

They were completely undone by Chelsea's pace, urgency and quality. Although there's nothing shameful about the result if the away side's excellence is taken into account, Dyche's men could go about their business in a better manner.

Firstly, the full-backs were on their heels or out of position more often than not. Willian, who had to work hard for his time on the ball, ran riot in the second half. Had it not been for Joe Hart's individual brilliance, they would have suffered an even bigger defeat.

Going forward, there was barely any direct attitude from the likes of Ashley Barnes, Gudmundsson and Chris Wood. As a result, they managed a single shot on goal. Without much creativity and attempts, the Clarets ran out of ideas after a point.

These defeats can be demoralizing even for a formidable side such as Burnley. They have now shipped nine goals in two matches.

#5 Chelsea show they aren't over-dependent on Eden Hazard

Loftus-Cheek has doubled his Chelsea goal tally in the space of three days
Loftus-Cheek has doubled his Chelsea goal tally in the space of three days

Take nothing away from the quality of the players on the pitch today, but Chelsea are always a level down without their star man Eden Hazard. This time around though, his absence wasn't felt on a notable level.

Pedro lasted only for a short period but did his job. The Spaniard changed his pace wisely, kept the ball well and combined with his fellow forwards. Willian, who took Hazard's position, set the field on fire with his sharpness, dribbling finesse and experience. The Brazilian put his head down and charged forward at will, picked the best of passes and scored a beauty.

Ross Barkley, as aforementioned, is really re-discovering his reputation that once made him a 'to be' England legend. Loftus-Cheek too, made the most of his chance by scoring a late goal.

While these individual displays were absolutely scintillating, the Blues never looked like they lacked urgency, creativity or spark without Hazard. Along with the comprehensive victory, that's another plus point for Maurizio Sarri.

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