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Unlike Tuchel’s first game, Chelsea started out rather slowly in this one, and the speed of play and passing was a bit lacking. And unlike in the first game, Chelsea weren’t as far as controlling, and Burnley had some good spells on the ball, even though they generated a total of zero shots.
At the other end, Chelsea finished the first half with 10 shots, most of which were either rather finicky or weak, sometimes both, with Werner also managing to hit his own standing leg.
After 40 minutes of this kind of buzzing, Captain Azpilicueta took matters into his own hands. Chelsea opened up Burnley, with Alonso and Jorginho combining on the left, then finding Mount in space in the middle. He turned wonderfully, not for the first or last time in the game, playing against dangerman Hudson-Odoi, who cut inside and then extended the ball galloping Azpilicueta, who hammered a lateral effort beyond of the giant goalkeeper.
A rare objective; a necessary goal.
Tuchel made a change at halftime, hoping to turn the game around with Pulisic and Abraham giving way. Chelsea’s attack looked a bit more dynamic after the break, but a second goal remained elusive despite several half (or even better) chances.
Reece James replaced Hudson-Odoi for the final 20 minutes, through whom most of Chelsea’s attacks had gone. This model has remained. Havertz was also added, but the target just wouldn’t come.
But then Marcos Alonso did what Marcos Alonso does and scored a ridiculous goal to secure the three points.
Carefree.
- A change in the full seven from Tuchel’s opener, with Alonso replacing Chilwell at the back. Full rotation in the front three, with central Abraham and Werner and Mount in fluid support. 3-4-3, sometimes 3-4-1-2.
- Pulisic for Abraham’s half-shifted Werner more central, with Mount still providing deeper support
- James for Hudson-Odoi for the last 20 is a somewhat defensive change, at least on paper. Most of Chelsea’s best attacks have come down the right flank in both directions.
- Havertz for Mount the last change, for the last 10 minutes.
- Burnley had won three straight wins in all competitions and two consecutive league games against Liverpool and Aston Villa. Not easy, as always.
- Chelsea are now undefeated in 5 of 6, with 4 wins.
- We move to 7th, tied on points with Spurs and Everton, but after playing 2 more games than the two. The Spurs play later today.
- Next stop: Spurs away on Thursday, followed by Sheffield United away on Sunday.
- KTBFFH
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