Second-string Chelsea rise to see off Burnley

A Kevin Long own goal and second-half strike from Victor Moses, either side of Ashley Barnes' fortuitous effort secured victory for the 'Blues' as they kept their slim hopes of Champions League qualification alive.

Antonio Conte rang the changes pre-match, with the likes of Eden Hazard, Willian, Cesc Fabregas and Ansreas Christensen all benched, not that you would have noticed as Chelsea dominated from the off, with Alvaro Morata seeing a low effort from a narrow angle well saved by Nick Pope in the home goal after he was sent racing clear by Olivier Giroud.

With 20 minutes gone, Chelsea took the lead. Gary Cahill found Victor Moses out on the right with a fine diagonal ball and the Nigerian international controlled on his chest before crossing.

Pope attempted to intercept the delivery but managed only to palm the ball against Kevin Long, who could only watch as the ball rebounded off him and into the back of the net.

The visitors continued to dominate as the first half wore on, with Pope again doing well to deny Morata, before N'Golo Kante fired over from range.

Antonio Conte's men continued to be the better side as the game moved into the second period and should have doubled their lead with 55 minutes gone. 

Matthew Lowton gave the ball straight to Kante as last man, with the French international immediately sending Morata racing clear. The Spaniard only had Pope to beat but somehow contrived to put his effort wide of the goalkeeper's left-hand post.

Nine minutes later they were made to regret that miss as Burnley levelled, though the goal was largely down to a huge slice of luck. Johann Berg Gudmundsson cut in from the right and took aim, with the ball deflecting in off the heel of Barnes to draw the hosts level.

 

April 19, 2018

Parity didn't last long though as Chelsea restored their lead inside five minutes. Emerson Palmieri, making his full Premier League debut, crossed form the left, with his delivery making it all the way through to Moses at the far post and he kept his cool to beat Pope low at his near post.

Despite their only being a goal in the game, Burnley never really looked like getting a second equaliser and Chelsea ended the game the stronger side as they moved to within five points of Tottenham in fourth, with focus now switching to Sunday's FA Cup showdown with Southampton at Wembley. Burnley, meanwhile, remain seventh.

 

April 19, 2018