Reuters
Goals from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez handed Chelsea a controlled 2-0 victory over struggling Burnley on Saturday, moving the Blues to within three points of Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Chelsea took time to settle at Turf Moor, but Neto broke the deadlock in the 37th minute, arriving at the back post to head home after Jamie Gittens delivered a precise cross. From that moment, the visitors rarely looked troubled.
Burnley improved after the break yet failed to create a meaningful chance. Fernandez sealed the win late on, smashing in Chelsea’s second after determined play from substitute Marc Guiu.
The victory, Chelsea’s third straight in the league, lifted Enzo Maresca’s side to second place on 23 points, ahead of Manchester City who play later on Saturday. Arsenal remain top and will host Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
“Tough game for many reasons, but they did not have one chance,” Maresca said. “Overall we deserved to win. When you lose one game it is a crisis, when you lose two it is a huge crisis, but I am still enjoying it. We are in a good place right now.”
Maresca chose to rest Moises Caicedo, and Chelsea looked uneven in the first half without the influential midfielder. Even so, Burnley could not turn their early pressure into opportunities.
Turf Moor has long favoured Chelsea, who arrived seeking a seventh successive league win at the ground. Neto almost scored again shortly after the hour mark when he struck the post following a flowing move.
Chelsea are beginning to find rhythm after a mixed start to the season. They have now won five of their last six league matches and kept three clean sheets in a row in the Premier League for the first time since 2022.
Burnley’s third straight defeat, all coming against London clubs, leaves them on 10 points from 12 matches.
“I am pleased with the performance,” Burnley manager Scott Parker said. “We stayed in the match but could not make the pressure count. We need to keep improving.”
