Chelsea sink Burnley to close gap on leaders Arsenal
BURNLEY, United Kingdom (AFP)—Chelsea stepped up their Premier League title challenge with a gritty 2-0 win against struggling Burnley on Saturday.
Pedro Neto put the Blues ahead just before the interval at Turf Moor and Enzo Fernandez netted in the closing stages.
Enzo Maresca’s side climb to second place and sit three points behind leaders Arsenal, who host Tottenham on Sunday.
The Blues have won eight of their last 10 matches in all competitions, making it a memorable 50th Premier League game in charge for Maresca.
It was the ideal warm-up for Chelsea ahead of a crucial week featuring home games against Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday and Arsenal in the Premier League on November 30.
The west Londoners would drop back down to third place if Manchester City avoid defeat against Newcastle later on Saturday, but regardless of that result, their hard-fought victory in freezing Lancashire added to their title momentum.
“It’s tough after the international break, 12:30, Burnley away, it’s always a hard game. But the way we competed I’m very happy,” Maresca said.
“To come here and not concede is very difficult but overall they only had one real chance.
“It was very important to keep the momentum from before the international break. Now we’ll recover our energy and on to Tuesday.”
Fourth-bottom Burnley have now lost five of their last seven league matches.
Chelsea were without Cole Palmer after the England forward extended his prolonged injury absence by fracturing his toe after stubbing it into a door.
Palmer had been set to resume training this week after two months out with a groin problem.
Adding to Maresca’s issues, fatigued Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo was left on the bench after arriving back from international duty on Thursday.
Maresca had complained about Chelsea being given the early Saturday kick-off again.
His mood wasn’t improved in the fifth minute when Blues goalkeeper Robert Sanchez accidently booted the ball into Fernandez’s head, a miscue that left the Argentine midfielder needing a brief concussion check.
Fernandez was able to play on and despite that painful interlude, Chelsea eventually took control.
