Frank Lampard’s increasingly impressive debut season as Chelsea manager moved on apace with a clinical display and a perfect hat-trick from Christian Pulisic, a player who, on this evidence at least, may one day join his manager among Stamford Bridge’s most beloved sons.
If Pulisic had been frustrated in the delay to his Chelsea career, it was Burnley who were about to find out why his cub had been prepared to pay £ 58 million for him last January before finally welcoming him to Stamford Bridge in the summer.
The heir to Eden Hazard’s crown as Chelsea’s long-term playmaker supreme certainly did a passable impression of the departed Belgian in putting his side in front after 21 minutes.
It took a moment’s hesitation, and a slight mis-step, from Burnley defender Matt Lowton for the 21 – year-old to pounce, dispossess the defender a few steps inside the home half of the field and set off in the direction of the goal.
There was still much for Pulisic to do, as Burnley defenders sprinted back in numbers, but after wrong-footing James Tarkowski, the American pushed a well-aimed shot through the legs of his marker and team mate Ben Mee, beating unsighted keeper Nick Pope in the process.
It was a lesson that Burnley’s defense should have learned, but did not, as they conceded a second goal just before the half- time.
This time it was Tarkowski who was at fault with a badly-judged pass which Willian read to perfection, intercepting the ball and immediately finding Pulisic on his toes and already heading towards goal.
The winger skipped around a number of nervous challenges before unleashing a shot which took an unkind deflection off Mee and gave Pope no chance in the Burnley goal.
It was a magnificent statement from a Chelsea side on a high after the midweek Champions League victory at Ajax but very much under scrutiny to see how Lampard’s young charges would respond to the very different surroundings of Turf Moor on a cold and blustery evening.
But Pulisic had already looked suitably inspired even before his opening goal and, after it, threatened to single-handedly clinch a seventh consecutive victory for his side.
First, Willian picked him out with a clever crossfield ball which Pulisic controlled expertly on his chest before forcing Pope into a diving block and then, after Burnley failed to deal with a Marcos Alonso cross, it was Pulisic for whom the ball fell, his shot forcing the home defense into another desperate defensive block.
He might even have added an assist to his evening’s work soon after when Pulisic laid the ball off for Tammy Abraham whose curling shot bounced just wide right of the Burnley goal.
But the eventual timing of Pulisic’s second goal looked important, given the manner in which Sean Dyche’s in-form side responded after going behind to his first.
Tarkowski headed a set-piece across goal for Ashley Barnes, who appeared slightly disorientated in heading his own effort just wide, and then left-back Erik Pieters’ terrific left-foot volley was deflected, forcing Kepa into an acrobatic, twisting save.
Closest yet to an equaliser, on the half-hour, Mee headed a free-kick across the Chelsea goal where Barnes looked poised to convert into an open goal, only to misjudge his run slightly and fail to make meaningful contact with a gaping goal before him.
It was a hugely impressive first half from Lampard’s side, young, talented and exciting but very much a work in progress, and when Burnley opened the second half with a predictable cavalry charge towards the visitors’ goal, they were clearly in for another lesson in their development.
It was one they weathered well, a shot from Jay Rodriguez directly into Kepa’s stomach at the near post the closest they could manage to a meaningful chance in the early exchanges.
And Pulisic, meanwhile, continued to perform like a man possessed, almost freeing Abraham clean through and then completing his hat-trick on 56 minutes.
This time the goal came from a set-piece and the fact that the 5’8 ”was allowed to complete the perfect hat-trick with a header suggested this was not a vintage defensive display by Burnley.
Mason Mount had a corner returned to him by the flag and whipped in a cross which picked out Pulisic, who lost his man mountain markers long enough to guide in a delicate header from six yards despite facing the wrong way.
The rout was in full swing – rather unjustly from a Burnley perspective given their efforts over the opening hour – and about to worsen when Willian scored a fourth just two minutes later.
It came from a devastating counter attack, and a break into the Burnley half by Abraham who found his Brazilian team mate in space down the right. With Pieters furiously back-pedalling, and scared to close Willian down, it was a relatively routine task for the Chelsea man to drill a low finish into the far corner.
Burnley supporters had at least one moment to savor after Callum Hudson-Odoi won a penalty, going down under a challenge from Mee, only for VAR to overrule before their side claimed two consolation goals in the final four minutes.
First, Jay Rodriguez struck a sweet 25 – yard consolation goal in the 86 th minute, following a rare slip by Pulisic, and then Dwight McNeil beat Kepa with a lef t-foot drive from just inside the Chelsea area.
On an evening on which Pulisic claimed that perfect hat-trick, they were about the only things that did not go perfectly for Lampard .
90 mins 2 – Burnley 2 Chelsea 4
Everything has changed in this game and there are four minutes of injury time for Chelsea to survive. Kepa slows it all down from a goal kick, Burnley win the ball back. James is out of position but Burnley can’t make use. Chelsea clear their lines, Giroud takes the ball down and draws a foul from Brady. Who didn’t really need to make it. Yellow card.
GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL !!!!!
THE COMEBACK IS ON!
Burnley 2 Chelsea 4
What is going on ?! Chelsea stand off Burnley players, give them time and space on the ball and this time McNeil comes onto his left foot from the right, shoots from 25 yards and the deflection off Tomori takes it into the goal!
88 mins – Burnley 1 Chelsea 4
Did not see a five goal game coming.
GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLL !!!!
WOOOOOF! What a hit!
Burnley 1 Chelsea 4
This time Burnley steal possession and hit Chelsea on the counter as Kovacic takes too long on the ball. Rodriguez takes it forward and launches a bending, swerving effort form 30 yards that flies over Kepa into the net . Great strike.
82 mins – Burnley 0 Chelsea 4
Burnley have the ball but don’t really seem to have any plans of scoring. Patient passing, always looking for a chance to cross … but Chelsea are sat behind the ball and won’t let them close.
79 mins – Burnley 0 Chelsea 4
Idon’t think it’s a dive but he goes down way too easily. Minimal contact from Mee but not enough to throw a boy to the ground.
VAR says: no penalty
Abooking for Hudson-Odoi and an indirect free-kick for Burnley.
75 mins – Burnley 0 Chelsea 4
James has a punt from 30 yards and wins another corner for Chelsea. It’s headed away, Kovacic finds Hudson-Odoi and he tries to place a shot into the far corner. Sa ved easily by Pope. Hudson-Odoi goes on a run towards the box, gives the ball away but wins a free-kick as he is taken out off the ball. Mount’s lining this one up.
72 mins – Burnley 0 Chelsea 4
Chelsea pass around their own box, lose possession then win it back and counter-attack quickly, winning a corner. Hudson-Odoi is away to come on for Willian.
68 mins – Burnley 0 Chelsea 4
65 mins – Burnley 0 Chelsea 4
- Christian Pulisic is only the second American player to score a Premier League hat-trick, after Clint Dempsey for Fulham against Newcastle in January 2012.
James is involved straight away, getting back to block two shots from wide left – Azpilicueta has gone to left-back – and does well. Pulisic will have to stay wide left this half without Alonso on the pitch.
62 mins – Burnley 0 Chelsea 4
What a recovery tackle by Tomori. That is legit. He loses the aerial battle with Rodriguez, Barnes flicks it through and Tomori has to sprint to full speed to get back, sliding in to block the shot by the penalty spot.
60 mins – Burnley 0 Chelsea 4
This is such a weird game. Chelsea haven’t even been that good! Burnley just keep doing stupid things with the ball.
GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLL !!!!
Eeehhhhh what is happening? Chelsea are 4-0 up all of a sudden!
Burnley 0 Chelsea 4
Burnley turnover possession – again – and Abraham drops deep, finds Willian and he shoots low across the goal, finding the bottom corner.
GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLL !!!!!
HAT-TRICK FOR PULISIC!
Burnley 0 Chelsea 3
A header at the near post from a corner! Burnley are not playing well tonight.
54 mins – Burnley 0 Chelsea 2
The referee books Willian for a tug on McNeil after letting play continue. Tomori clears up the danger.
(mins – Burnley 0 Chelsea 2)
Burnley on top at the start of this half. Rodriguez has a shot at goal saved by the goalkeeper at his near post. Pulisic is staying wider in buildup play but moves inside when approaching the box. Mount is drifting wide to get on the ball as well.
Burnley on top at the start of this half. Rodriguez has a shot at goal saved by the goalkeeper at his near post. Pulisic is staying wider in buildup play but moves inside when approaching the box. Mount is drifting wide to get on the ball as well.
(mins – Burnley 0 Chelsea 2)
Mount nearly sends Abraham away with an early through ball but Burnley’s defense block it at the last. There’s a brief VAR check for a penalty to Burnley but it’s dismissed quickly.
Barnes is played in by Jack Cork – is he not offside? No! The ball drops over the defense, Barnes spins and tries to smash a volley at goal but misses the ball.
Mount nearly sends Abraham away with an early through ball but Burnley’s defense block it at the last. There’s a brief VAR check for a penalty to Burnley but it’s dismissed quickly.
Barnes is played in by Jack Cork – is he not offside? No! The ball drops over the defense, Barnes spins and tries to smash a volley at goal but misses the ball.
6: (PM) ******************************
Is Pulisic playing well?
Two goals say yes but he’s been out of position throughout the game. I can’t tell if that’s because Alonso is wide and behind him to cover the left flank and it’s a tactical instruction, or the whole thing is accidental and working really well. It’s giving Chelsea numerical advantage in certain situations because Pulisic is where he shouldn’t be … but the average position map shouldn’t look like this.
Dan’s sussed it
Aubameyang, Mane and Pulisicx2 goals against Burnley have all come from them losing the ball in the middle third. Your one chance to catch them out of shape.
– Daniel Zeqiri (@ZeqiriDan) (October) , 2019
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLL !!!!
IT’S PULISIC AGAIN!
Burnley 0 Chelsea 2
The crowd are in a lull, Burnley give the ball away in their own half again, Pulisic drives at goal, his teammates create space and give him options but he goes head down to the edge of the box and smashes low into the near corner.
44 mins – Burnley 0 Chelsea 1
Pulisic lifts a pass to Willian on the opposite wing and the way it falls gives the Brazilian time to weight it up and hit sliced volley off the outside of his boot. There’s no power in it so the goalie can catch but if he’d caught that right it was a goal of the season contender.
42 mins – Burnley 0 Chelsea 1
Abraham tees up Mount but he can’t find space to turn and shoot. Pulisic is wandering all over the forward line with Alonso getting high up the pitch to cover the left side. I wonder how much freedom Pulisic has been given by his manager vs how much he’s taking. It’s working for now.
38 mins – Burnley 0 Chelsea 1
More Chelsea pressure mostly coming down the left wing.
36 mins – Burnley 0 Chelsea 1
Burnley work the ball up the pitch from back to front, McNeil creates a chance for Barnes but the striker blasts over the bar on his left foot.
Chelsea go up the other end and a cross from Alonso comes off Tarkowski, dropping for PULISIC TO SHOOOOOT but it’s saved. Pulisic is involved with everything good that Chelsea are doing here.
34 mins – Burnley 0 Chelsea 1
- Christian Pulisic is the first player from the USA to score for Chelsea in the Premier League. The Blues have now had players from 36 different nations score for them in the competition (excluding own goals), the sixth most in the division.
33 mins – Burnley 0 Chelsea 1
Chelsea seem to be setup to hit Burnley on the counter now they’re a goal up. Burnley growing into the game, Chelsea slowing things down.
31 mins – Burnley 0 Chelsea 1
BARNES MUST SCORE! Oh my lordy lord, how. How has he missed. A free-kick 40 yards from goal is chipped diagonally to the back post, Mee wins his header and puts it across the area for Barnes to score in an empty net. He misses the ball then punches the net in frustration. Not sure he’ll get quite the pushback from a floaty net that he’s looking for there.
28 mins – Burnley 0 Chelsea 1
Dyche is wound up that Kepa’s taking so long to setup his goal kicks. Chelsea going long a lot more often than I expected but the ball isn’t sticking with Abraham yet.
Chelsea come forward again, Pulisic is somehow in miles of space wide of Lowton and Willian finds him. Pulisic chests it, goes for the shot and the goalie saves superbly with quick reflexes low in his goal. Corner … and Pope catches it.
23 mins – Burnley 0 Chelsea 1
Burnley have space in behind straight from kick off! The ball is played over the top, Tomori is caught out of position but Barnes’ control lets him down and it’s behind for a corner. That is sent to the back post … and looks like a header is about to loop into the net! It’s cleared. Great response from Burnley.
GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLL !!!!!
Burnley 0 Chelsea 1
It’s a mistake by Matt Lowton. He doesn’t control a pass, stumbles and Pulisic mugs him, races to the box, takes on Tarkowski one v one and is able to get a shot away. The center-back is beaten for acceleration and the shot is well placed low across the goalkeeper.
19 mins – Burnley 0 Chelsea 0
Burnley doing well to keep Chelsea quiet here. Both teams hitting quite a few long balls. McNeil latches onto a loose pass, beats Kovacic and shoots from a narrow angle but Kepa catches.
16 mins – Burnley 0 Chelsea 0
Tomori gets a short pass from the goalkeeper then launches it forward. Pulisic carries the ball forward at speed and gets to the box, spots Mount to his right and sets him up … but the shot is blocked. That’s great recovery defending by Pieters.
14 mins – Burnley 0 Chelsea 0
Burnley win a corner, McNeil swings it in and Kepa wants a free-kick … but he’s not getting one. Zouma deals with the cross well, taking responsibility. The second corner is lifted so high it skips everyone and ends up curling behind for a goal kick.
5: (PM) ******************************
8 mins – Burnley 0 Chelsea 0
Tomori could do with working on his distribution, particularly long passes. He tries them a lot but gives away possession most of the time.
Zouma gets a wee nudge and goes absolutely flying into the advertising boards, smashing the back of his head off them while tumbling off the pitch. He should be fine but that looked painful.
5 mins – Burnley 0 Chelsea 0
Burnley going long from the goalkeeper then trying to win the second ball. Two banks of four behind the ball, Chelsea making the pitch nice and big as they move through the lines. Willian ends a nice, patient passing move by shooting wildly over the bar from 25 yards on his weak foot.
Sean Dyche
Ithink we’re motivated against any team, they’re a tough task but we have performed well in the past and have to do that tonight.
On Chris Wood:
Unfortunately he knicked his hamstring last Monday, bit of a loss with Woody but Barnesy comes back.
Then he does some of the usual ‘we have to be at our best, every team is difficult’ etc patter.
Frank Lampard on his starting lineup
Christian deserves a start, Callum gets his rest.
Simples.
A nice day for it
Mason Mount has been great this season but in recent weeks but has been played in a slightly deeper midfield role in recent weeks. I think he’ll play as a 10 today, ahead of Jorginho and Kovacic as opposed to alongside, and this lets Chelsea go from back to front a lot quicker but might leave them a little short in the center of the park if counter-attacked . It makes them a little more like a 4-4-2, which is what Burnley play.
Burnley vs Chelsea
Hello there, welcome to our liveblog for Burnley vs Chelsea. The players have arrived, the sun is going down, it’s time for football under the lights.
The starting lineups are in and the big news is that Christian Pulisic is in for Callum Hudson-Odoi, which makes sense since the latter is coming back from serious injury. Pulisic was excellent off the bench as a substitute against Ajax midweek too.
Burnley are hard to break down, really physical and will look to take advantage of Tomori and Zouma’s tendency to make a wee mistake now and again, with Ashley Barnes throwing himself around and Jay Rodriguez running off him. Tomori and Zouma are great in the air, excellent one v one and could become a great partnership but both do strange things now and again, especially Tomori. That said, you’d expect Rudiger will go back in the team when he’s fit … but who does he replace?
Burnley could go fifth if they win, Chelsea will stay in fourth if they win. Keeping up with the Big Lads at the top of the table is the order of the day, especially with Leicester confirming they are Champions League contenders with that 9-0 thrashing last night.
I’d expect this game to be fairly tight, probably low scoring and perhaps one that Chelsea find tricky. Burnley are clever, powerful and will fancy their chances tonight.
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