Burnley 0-4 Chelsea: Kai Havertz scores twice in comfortable win

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.

helpHow to play

Rate players out of 10 throughout or after the game. The rater will close 30 minutes after the final whistle.

Rating range key1 = Give it up10 = Pure perfection

Burnley

Squad number1Player namePope

Squad number14Player nameRoberts

Squad number22Player nameCollins

Squad number5Player nameTarkowski

Squad number3Player nameTaylor

Squad number17Player nameLennon

Squad number18Player nameWestwood

Squad number8Player nameBrownhill

Squad number11Player nameMcNeil

Squad number19Player nameRodriguez

Squad number9Player nameWeghorst

Squad number10Player nameBarnes

Squad number20Player nameCornet

Chelsea

Squad number16Player nameMendy

Squad number14Player nameChalobah

Squad number6Player nameThiago Silva

Squad number2Player nameRüdiger

Squad number24Player nameJames

Squad number7Player nameKanté

Squad number5Player nameJorginho

Squad number17Player nameSaúl

Squad number19Player nameMount

Squad number10Player namePulisic

Squad number29Player nameHavertz

Squad number8Player nameKovacic

Squad number11Player nameWerner

Squad number12Player nameLoftus-Cheek

Line-ups

Burnley

Formation 4-4-2

1Pope

14Roberts22Collins5Tarkowski3Taylor

17Lennon18Westwood8Brownhill11McNeil

19Rodriguez9Weghorst

Substitutes

Chelsea

Formation 3-4-2-1

16Mendy

14Chalobah6Thiago Silva2Rüdiger

24James7Kanté5Jorginho17Saúl

19Mount10Pulisic

29Havertz

Substitutes

Live Text

Match ends, Burnley 0, Chelsea 4.

Second Half ends, Burnley 0, Chelsea 4.

Ashley Westwood (Burnley) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Mateo Kovacic (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Ashley Westwood (Burnley).

Offside, Chelsea. Antonio Rüdiger tries a through ball, but Ruben Loftus-Cheek is caught offside.

Ashley Barnes (Burnley) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Jorginho (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Ashley Barnes (Burnley).

Christian Pulisic (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Foul by Josh Brownhill (Burnley).

Offside, Burnley. Ashley Barnes tries a through ball, but Maxwel Cornet is caught offside.

Substitution, Burnley. Ashley Barnes replaces Wout Weghorst.

Substitution, Chelsea. Timo Werner replaces Mason Mount.

Foul by Mason Mount (Chelsea).

Connor Roberts (Burnley) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Substitution, Chelsea. Mateo Kovacic replaces Reece James.

Substitution, Chelsea. Ruben Loftus-Cheek replaces N'Golo Kanté.

Goal! Burnley 0, Chelsea 4. Christian Pulisic (Chelsea) right footed shot from very close range to the bottom left corner.

Attempt blocked. Maxwel Cornet (Burnley) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

Source Link