Chelsea Beat Burnley 2–0 to Cut Arsenal’s Lead in Premier League Race
Chelsea continued their strong Premier League title push on Saturday with a determined 2–0 victory over Burnley at Turf Moor. The win was hard-earned, but it showed how much confidence the Blues have built under manager Enzo Maresca this season.
Pedro Neto scored the opening goal just before halftime, giving Chelsea a much-needed breakthrough after a tight first half. Enzo Fernández later sealed the victory with a late goal, ensuring Chelsea walked away with all three points on a freezing afternoon in Lancashire.
The result lifts Chelsea into second place, only three points behind league leaders Arsenal. Arsenal will face Tottenham on Sunday, a match that could affect the standings, but Chelsea’s win still adds major pressure at the top of the table. It was also a special moment for Maresca, who celebrated his 50th Premier League match in charge with another impressive result. The team has now won eight of their last 10 matches in all competitions.
This match also served as an important warm-up for a crucial week ahead. Chelsea will host Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday, followed by a major Premier League showdown against Arsenal on November 30. Even though Manchester City could push Chelsea back to third if they avoid defeat against Newcastle, the Blues remain in a strong position with momentum on their side.
Speaking after the match, Maresca praised his team for their determination, especially coming right after the international break. “It’s always tough to play Burnley away at 12:30,” he said. “We competed well, and to keep a clean sheet here is not easy. They only had one real chance.”
Burnley, meanwhile, remain deep in trouble. They have now lost five of their last seven Premier League matches and are sitting close to the relegation zone. Their lack of confidence was clear, even though they had a few moments of promise.
Chelsea had to cope with several injury problems going into the game. Cole Palmer, who was expected to return this week, fractured his toe after hitting it against a door at home. He had already spent two months out with a groin injury, and the new setback kept him out of the squad. Moises Caicedo also started on the bench because he returned late from international duty and was fatigued.
Chelsea suffered a scare only five minutes into the match when goalkeeper Robert Sanchez accidentally kicked the ball straight into Fernández’s head. The Argentine midfielder needed a quick concussion check but was able to continue playing. After settling into the game, Chelsea began to take control.
Neto had an early effort deflected wide, while Gittens missed from a tight angle. Burnley’s Kyle Walker, making his 400th Premier League appearance, made a crucial block to stop Gittens from opening the scoring. Chelsea also escaped a bizarre penalty situation when Trevoh Chalobah appeared to handle the ball in the box while Sanchez had not properly restarted play.
Chelsea finally took the lead in the 37th minute with a beautifully worked team goal. Marc Cucurella calmly controlled a high ball inside the Burnley area before laying it off to Gittens. Gittens sent a perfect cross to the far post, where Neto dived in to head home his fourth goal of the season.
Chelsea created more chances in the second half. Neto hit the post after a powerful strike, while Burnley’s Zian Flemming missed their best chance with a shot that flew over the bar.
In the 88th minute, Chelsea made sure of the win. A smooth team move ended with Marc Guiu setting up Fernández, who finished neatly from close range to make it 2–0.
Chelsea’s victory keeps them firmly in the title race and shows a team growing stronger each week, even with injuries and a tight schedule. Burnley, on the other hand, has more pressure to deal with as they continues fighting to stay in the Premier League.
