In a display of tactical ingenuity, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca saw his bold plan come to fruition as his side secured a 2-0 victory away at Burnley, a result that temporarily sent the Blues up to second place in the Premier League table.
Maresca's Masterstroke
The defining moment of the match arrived after 37 minutes of a largely subdued first-half performance from the visitors at Turf Moor. The breakthrough came from an unlikely source, born from a premeditated strategy. Left-back Marc Cucurella was deployed in a highly advanced position, at times operating as a number ten, and it was from this role that he made the decisive contribution.
When defender Tosin Adarabioyo received the ball in Chelsea's defensive line, Cucurella was the highest player on the pitch. The Spaniard made a sharp run in behind the Burnley defence, Adarabioyo launched a long pass forward, and Cucurella did superbly to control the situation under pressure from two markers. He held up the ball before laying it off to Jamie Gittens, who delivered a perfect cross that floated over Burnley's back line for Pedro Neto to head home and make it 1-0.
Midfield Metronome and Selection Headache
With key player Cole Palmer absent due to a broken toe, Maresca's system required others to step up, and they did so emphatically. The second goal, scored by Enzo Fernandez in the 88th minute, was a prime example of Chelsea's composure. Rather than panicking under a Burnley press, goalkeeper Robert Sanchez played a calm pass to Malo Gusto, who found Neto. The Portuguese winger then provided a clever reverse pass to substitute Marc Guiu, who set up Fernandez for the clinching goal.
The performance of Pedro Neto, who opened the scoring and provided an assist, presents Maresca with a welcome dilemma. The 25-year-old's consistently high calibre makes him increasingly difficult to displace on the right flank, even with exciting 18-year-old Brazilian talent Estevao Willian waiting in the wings.
Santos Shines in Caicedo's Absence
This match also marked the first time under Maresca that Chelsea have played a Premier League game without Moises Caicedo, who was rested after a demanding international break with Ecuador. His replacement, Andrey Santosthree tackles, four interceptions, and one crucial block to deny a promising Burnley chance, effectively bossing the centre of the park and securing the victory.
The only half-time change saw captain Reece James replaced by Benoit Badiashile, a move that was confirmed as a pre-planned substitution to protect the skipper ahead of crucial fixtures against Barcelona and Arsenal in the coming week.
