Chelsea dominated newly-promoted Burnley in their first match of the season, with a 3-1 victory on Monday evening.
Chelsea’s lineup featured three players making their debut for the club, including goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who got the nod over incumbent Petr Cech. There was a raucous crowd at the Turf Moor (incredible name) in Burnley, who were exuberant about their club’s first match back in the Premier League since the end of the 2009-10 season. Although Chelsea looked the more impressive of the sides at the beginning of the match, it was Burnley who struck first, when Scott Arfield opened up the scoring with an impressive volley following Chelsea’s failure to clear a corner. It was an uncharacteristically sloppy piece of defending from the normally stingy Chelsea defense, as Arfield was unmarked and smashed the ball past a helpless Courtois. Although the defending was poor, Arfield must be commended for an incredible finish.
Unfortunately, for Burnley, their opening goal made Chelsea angry. And Burnley did NOT like Chelsea when they were angry. A mere three minutes later, Chelsea were level, as newly signed Diego Costa took advantage of some confusion in front of the goal to slam home a rebound past Burnley keeper Tom Heaton. Although there was nothing overly impressive about the finish, Costa’s decisiveness and power of the shot made it seem clear that this goal was not one that any of the Chelsea strikers on the roster last season would have converted. Costa did pick up a questionable yellow card later in the first half, but that just as easily could have been called a penalty as a dive. He will be a most welcome addition to the Blues this campaign.
Four minutes later, Chelsea were ahead for good on a breathtaking goal from Andre Schürrle. Though the finish was clinical, it was the pass from Cesc Fabregas that was the most impressive. Fabregas received the ball from Eden Hazard at the top of the box, feigned like he was going to shoot before sending the ball through to Schürrle mid-stride as he made a run towards the goal. Schürrle converted the easy finish and Chelsea was off to the races. In the 34th minute, Branislav Ivanovic completed the scoring with a half-volley from a corner kick that Burnley clearly should have done better with.
The second half was mostly anticlimactic, as Chelsea clearly became complacent and took their foot off the gas. Burnley went on the offensive, but could not find the second goal that would have made the match more interesting and nerve-wracking for Jose Mourinho’s lads. The most notable part of the action was the return to the pitch of Chelsea club legend Didier Drogba, who replaced Hazard in the 84th minute. He looked like the Drogba of old rather than an old Drogba in receiving the ball with his back to goal, before turning and firing a shot wide. While Drogba will no longer be the main option each match, he should provide excellent cover for Costa once the club finds itself in multiple competitions as the season progresses.
It was an excellent debut for the new signings and for Chelsea, as they find themselves after the first match where they hope to be after the last match: top of the table.
Man of the Match: Cesc Fabregas. The new signing had 2 assists (one off a corner) and his playmaking abilities from a deeper role must have Arsenal and Manchester United fans wondering why their clubs did not close the deal for him. In addition to his magnificent pass to Schürrle, Fabregas frequently looked a threat setting up his teammates. For Chelsea fans, he was a vision in blue.
