Cesc Fabregas was influential on his Chelsea debut, as the Blues defeated newly-promoted Burnley 3-1 on Monday night
The top four of the Premier League table already has a familiar look, after Chelsea enjoyed a very impressive 3-1 victory at newly-promoted Burnley.
The Blues went a goal down in the 14th minute through a Scott Arfield strike, but after that Jose Mourinho’s team completely dominated the first half.
Goals from Diego Costa, Andre Schurrle and Branislav Ivanovic in 17 minutes put the Blues in complete control.
Impressive
Chelsea looked really fluid in possession and all their players seemed to be on the same wavelength, even the new signings.
Their attacking play was nowhere as fluid last season and their first half performance was impressive, even if it was only the opening game of the season.
The Blues took their foot off the pedal in the second half, as Mourinho is a manager who settles, rather than expects his team to notch a cricket score.
New Signings
Chelsea took the quality, rather than quantity route in the transfer market making just three big summer’s signings in Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas and Felipe Luis. Costa and Fabregas started against Burnley and had an immediate impact on their debuts.
Fabregas was one of the most influential players on the pitch. The former-Barcelona midfielder had a hand in all three of his team’s goals. His superb first time pass to Schurrle for the second goal was one of the moments of the game.
The goal was almost Barcelona-esque in its creation, with Schurrle making a run off the ball and Fabregas showing great vision to find the Germany international. The Spaniard took the corner for Chelsea’s third goal.
The Spanish international looked like he had never left the English game and could prove to be one of the most influential signings of the season. His ability to dictate the speed and tempo of the game from his central midfield position could be a crucial factor for Chelsea this season.
Diego Costa took just 17 minutes to open his goal scoring account for the Blues. The former-Atletico Madrid striker smashed home his first goal for the club to put the Blues on level terms.
Costa was also slightly unlucky not to win a penalty when Burnley keeper Tom Heaton appeared to bring him down in the penalty area, only for referee Michael Oliver to book the striker for simulation.
The £32million man will no doubt need time to get adjusted to the Premier League, but it was a very decent start to his Blues career. He fitted into the team well and he is exactly what Chelsea was missing last season, a goal poacher.
Chelsea’s strikers lack of goals last of goals last season was well documented, as the Blues trio Fernando Torres, Demba Ba and Samuel Eto’o scored just 19 Premier League goals between them. Costa scored 27 La Liga goals last season, as Atletico Madrid won the Spanish title.
Chelsea with the Spaniard in their attack look like a far more threatening proposition this season and could be the final piece of a very expensively assembled Chelsea team.
Keeper
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is not scared of big decisions and the one to play young Belgian international Thibaut Courtois over Petr Cech last night could prove to be a big decision. Courtois returned to Chelsea with the intention of becoming first choice and that will raise doubts over the future of Cech.
Courtois is rated as one of the best young keepers in the world and Chelsea were running the risk of losing him if he was not given a chance in goal. Mourinho has admitted that he hopes Cech will stay and fight for his place at Stamford Bridge, but the Czech star is unlikely to sit on the bench for long.
Positive
A lot of people have written Burnley off this season, but this was not a terrible performance from the Clarets. They always looked to attack and never looked to sit back against the Blues. Burnley boss Sean Dyche acknowledged Chelsea’s undoubted quality and these are not the games that matter for Burnley this season.
The Clarets Premier League survival will depend on games against the teams near the bottom end of the table and not against the teams battling for the Premier League title. On this showing they are certainly not going to go down easily.
Favourites
Chelsea were favourites for the Premier League title prior to the kick-off of the Premier League campaign and last night’s first half display showed just why the Blues are considered the favourites to claim the trophy come May.
Cynics will say Chelsea were only playing against a newly-promoted side, but you can only beat what is in front of you and Chelsea did that with a swagger that is ominous for the rest of the season.
Will Chelsea continue last night’s form for the rest of the season?
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