REPORT: BURNLEY 0-4 CHELSEA

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Burnley were defeated by Chelsea at Turf Moor on Saturday afternoon.

2022-03-05T17:02:19.360Z

REPORT: BURNLEY 0-4 CHELSEA

Burnley were defeated by Chelsea at Turf Moor on Saturday afternoon.

2022-03-05T17:02:19.360Z

Burnley were defeated by Chelsea at Turf Moor on Saturday afternoon.

James Tarkowski captained Sean Dyche’s Clarets in the absence of Ben Mee, who was replaced in the line-up by Nathan Collins.

Jay Rodriguez also came into the starting side in place of Maxwel Cornet.

Before kick-off, everyone in the ground came together in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

Three quick-fire goals from Reece James and Kai Havertz (x2) after the break had Thomas Tuchel’s European Champions leading, with Christian Pulisic adding a fourth.

First-half

The Clarets started brightly and, roared on by the home support, threatened nine minutes in when Aaron Lennon’s inviting cross from the right was headed away by Thiago Silva, with Wout Weghorst and Rodriguez lurking.

Up the other end, Charlie Taylor’s well-positioned slide tackle blocked James’ strike after Saul’s cross towards the back post.

Burnley then saw chances go close through Weghorst’s snapshot in the box, which was cleared off the line by Silva, and Collins meeting Dwight McNeil’s free-kick which was headed over.

Nick Pope was called into action for the first time, as he dropped down to his left to hold onto Antonio Rudiger’s low drive from distance.

On the half hour mark, the Clarets could have been ahead; Ashley Westwood’s high ball into the six-yard box caused Edouard Mendy, under press from Rodriguez, to punch which landed at the feet of McNeil, but the winger’s left-footed effort went over the crossbar.

Towards the end of the opening half, Jorginho’s dipping drive on target was defended out for a corner valiantly by Connor Roberts.

Second-half

Chelsea took control of the clash by scoring three early goals early on from half-time.

Their first came through James on 48 minutes. The full-back collected a pass from Trevor Chalobah and drove a firmly right-footed across goal to find Pope’s bottom right-corner.

Havertz added to the scoring with 52 minutes on the clock, getting away from Roberts at the back post to head Christian Pulisic’s cross beyond a static Pope.

And Havertz notched his second at the West Londoners third two minutes later, bundling into the net from James’ cross.

Dyche made his first substitute of the game midway through the half, bringing on Cornet for Rodriguez.

Chelsea scored their fourth of the contest on 68 minutes. Pulisic reacted quickest after a cross was helped on and struck beyond Pope.

The Clarets looked to pull one back, with Cornet’s dangerous cross cleared by Silva, as Ashley Barnes came on for Weghorst late on, while Mendy collected Roberts’ ball.

Burnley are next in action next Saturday, when they travel to Brentford, 3pm kick-off.