You know it is a curious Premier League table when Sean Dyche’s stock as a manager is higher than Antonio Conte’s. Burnley presented a reminder of where Chelsea’s title defence began to go wrong.
August 12, to be precise, when Dyche’s side opened the season with a 3-2 win at Stamford Bridge. There has been a feeling ever since the Italian is seeing out his time at Chelsea, so it came as no surprise his team selection had a retro feel to it – a reminder of those times when managers rested players in the league for crucial FA Cup ties rather than vice-versa.
There was an old school look about both sides’ use of four target men, too – Olivier Giroud paired with Alvaro Morata, Chris Wood with Ashley Barnes. To be fair, the Chelsea duo showed some encouraging signs of working in tandem, or at least the enthusiastic Giroud demonstrated a willingness to make it work. They probably won’t be paired again, of course, but the experiment was not without merit.
Chelsea’s was a patched up line-up, particularly as Marcus Alonso’s suspension for stamping Southampton’s Shane Long was confirmed before kick-off.
More changes followed. Given Conte is unlikely to be around whether Chelsea are in the Champions League next season or not, he can be forgiven for prioritising this weekend’s semi-final and letting his successor deal with any Premier League repercussions.
Emerson made his first start. It meant Eden Hazard, Willian, Cesc Fabregas and Andreas Christensen began on the bench. If that was no shock, Ross Barkley’s failure to get a start in the light of so many other changes was more surprising. The midfielder must hope the next coach sees what Conte has evidently missed.
For Burnley, there is pride and a little disbelief they may be peers of Chelsea in the Europa League next season.
Dyche probably would have left before the season, or even in the middle of it, had one of the wealthier clubs given him the opportunity. Instead he signed a new contract. He won’t regret being denied the dilemmas if his CV is decorated with UEFA qualification - although there must be bewilderment at how hesitant chairmen are to headhunt him. Even the Burnley board must be surprised as much as relieved they have not had to fight to keep their coach.
Thanks to Premier League scheduling, this match comes at a rather difficult time. Chelsea have the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday, so instead of giving the Blues some breathing room and putting this game on Tuesday or Wednesday, the league and its TV partners money behind it all chose the closest date possible, Thursday. Thanks!
Burnley would be dangerous opposition even at the best of times, but especially now. After going winless for a dozen straight in all competitions, they’ve won five on the trot, bringing them to within eight points of us and only two behind Arsenal in sixth. They’re formidable at Turf Moor where they rarely concede (fourth best with 13 conceded), although they also are the division’s worst at scoring goals at home with only 14 in 17 games.
Antonio Conte will be facing some difficult line-up decisions. Should he rest players for the FA Cup, or should he try to build on Saturday’s comeback by fielding a strong side? Since Tottenham are unlikely to lose at least two of their last four matches, the league should remain an afterthought right now, despite all quotes to the contrary. On the other hand, neither he nor the players need the drama that would come with a loss.
Chelsea began the season with a shock home defeat to the Clarets, their first win at the Bridge since 1971. Time to avenge that and gather momentum for Sunday, too.
Date / Time: Thursday, April 19th, 2018, 19:45 BST; 2:45 pm EDT; 12:15 am IST
Venue: Turf Moor, Burnley, England
Referee: Bobby Madley — the 32 year-old was added to the Select Group of Premier League Officials in 2013-14 and is one of six FIFA refs in the Prem (but like every other PL arbiter, he won’t be in Russia for the World Cup). He falls eleventh on the list of appearances this season, which may or may not be a reflection of how he’s viewed. Madley has whistled two Chelsea matches, our 0-0 draw at Everton and the Community Shield against Arsenal, when he booked Willian for the offense of getting tripped-up in the penalty box by Hector Bellerin. (Ed. note: just one of the many little things to go against Chelsea this season, as opposed to for, like last season.)
Forecast: Dry and cool, seven percent chance of rain. Temps should be around 14°C (57°F), winds 10 km/h (6 mph).
On TV: Sky Sports (UK); NBCSN, Telemundo (USA); Star Sports Select HD2 (India); elsewhere
Streaming online: Sky Go (UK); NBC Sports Live, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo (USA); Hotstar (India)
Chelsea team news: Conte will be without one of his nigh-undroppables in Marcos Alonso, who begins a three-match suspension for a “naughty” tackle on Southampton’s Shane long. January-signing Emerson Palmieri, who’s been little more than an afterthought since, is thus set for his first league start. Danny Drinkwater has another injury, a groin this time. It’s what kept him out of consideration for Southampton. David Luiz is still rehabilitating his knee and Ethan Ampadu has a broken ankle as well as a still-unsettled transfer fee.
Burnley team news: Scott Arfield, Steven Defour, Ben Mee and Robbie Brady are out, while Georges-Kevin N’Koudou and Jon Walters will be match-day decisions.
Last time: Remember when Pedro was in form and scoring? Ah, the good old days! He drew first blood for Chelsea on our last trip to Turf Moor, a 1-1 draw a year ago February.
FULL-TIME: Chelsea win!
90min: 4 minutes of added-on time.
88min: Hazard holds the ball after a Pedro interception, then holds it some more, then finds Moses whose cross is met by Zappacosta at the far post, but he can’t keep his header down.
84min: Hazard creates a chance for Giroud. It’s blocked for a corner, which is then aimed at Pedro making his typical run to the top of the box. His good-looking shot is blocked. Zappacosta replaces Emerson on the left.
81min: Emerson’s turn to win a free kick, but the subsequent move breaks down.
78min: Bakayoko gets taken down, no card. Conte not happy with that decision and lets the fourth official know in no uncertain terms. From the resulting free kick, Hazard and Moses almost create a glorious chance but Burnley clear at the last second. Some excellent running on the right from Moses tonight.
74min: Chelsea look for a third but Hazard thwarted by Cork at the last second after some intricate interplay with Giroud
69min: VICTOR MOSES! Another good cross from Emerson is missed by Giroud, but Moses is there at the far post to collect and smash it low and hard past Pope. 2-1! Hazard comes on for Morata in the wake of the goal to restore Chelsea to a more familiar 3-4-3. Morata none too pleased, but his miss was horrendous (yet again).
63min: Out of nothing, a faraway shot from Gudmondsson is deflected into the back of the net off Ashley Barnes’s heel, who knew nothing about it. He was on-side, but that’s about it for actual intent. Morata’s miss looms large, as does the no-call on Moses going to ground a few seconds prior.
62min: Moses’s effort held well with both Giroud and Morata lurking.
60min: A much more even half, though Chelsea “should” be up two. Alas, it remains just a 1-0 lead. Fabregas, Hazard, Willian warming up. Tarkowski a bit lucky to escape a second yellow for a flailing arm that gets Giroud in the neck, who receives a bit of treatment.
55min: Morata misses an absolute sitter after great work from Kanté in intercepting the ball and setting the striker in all alone from the half-way line. Morata outpaces his defender but rolls his effort wide of the right-hand side post.
53min: Courtois catches a corner as he wakes briefly from his slumber.
50min: Burnley start the second half well, but Chelsea hold steady then threaten at the other end.
46min: Back underway; no changes.
HALF-TIME: One additional minute later, Bobby Madley blows for half-time. Decent effort by the Blues, though certainly better than the hosts. Giroud & Morata have linked up well at times, with the former central to most things good from the boys. Burnley have been largely restricted, though Ashley Barnes still managed to get in a maiming attempt on Gary Cahill.
Can we hang on to this lead in the second-half and maybe even add to it?
39min: Kanté goes close with a dipping rasper of a shot after one of those mazy runs he sometimes decides to do when no one else is doing anything.
38min: Pedro steals a few souls with a backflick and nutmeg before setting up on a 50-yard sprint up the left. The cross to Giroud is almost inch-perfect. What a goal that would’ve been!
33min: Giroud and Morata link up well again; Pope saves for a corner from the latter, but it’s wasted with a terrible take from Pedro.
31min: Burnley finally show up and launch a few efforts into the box. Bakayoko eventually clears.
28min: Morata wins a free-kick just outside the penalty area. Tarkowski booked. Pedro’s effort well wide of the near post.
25min: Chelsea continue to press the issue. Burnley have offered very little so far.
20min: A long ball from Cahill finds Moses up the right wing; his cross is diverted into the net for an own goal. LOL! We’ll take them any way we can!
15min: Quarter hour gone; scoreless. Chelsea with the edge in possession and chances. Giroud central to most good things.
11min: Morata and Giroud link up, the latter flicking the ball on for the former, but his shot is saved by Pope. Promising.
8min: Giroud played in again, loses balance in the box. No call, and probably rightly so.
Seen them given*
* when watching other teams — TOCFCWS (@tocfcws) April 19, 2018
5min: Chelsea defend a free kick and break upfield. Moses finds Giroud in the middle, bu this shot is blocked.
KICK-OFF: The teams walk out to a bit of Arcade Fire. Will there be fire-works on the pitch? Chelsea look to be in a 3-5-2.
ANTONIOOOOO:
Antonio Conte takes charge of his 100th Chelsea game (all comps), tonight.
He’s the 3rd Chelsea manager to reach that milestone under the 15-year ownership of Roman Abramovich, after Jose Mourinho (321 over 2 spells) & Carlo Ancelotti (109) #PL pic.twitter.com/HqQ14HAAd5 — Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) April 19, 2018
We’re trying something slightly different with gamethreads: instead of just an open thread, it will be updated regularly (while you comment away below) with highlights, stats, and anything else worthwhile for a live blog sort of thing. Let’s see how it goes.
COME ON, CHELSEA!
Burnley starting lineup (4-4-2):
Pope | Ward, Tarkowski, Long, Lowton | Gudmundsson, Westwood, Cork, Lennon | Barnes, Wood
Substitutes from: Heaton, Taylor, Marney, Vokes, Hendrick, Wells, Bardsley
Chelsea starting lineup (3-4-3?):
Courtois | Rudiger, Cahill (c), Azpilicueta | Emerson, Bakayoko, Kante, Moses | Giroud, Morata, Pedro
Substitutes from: Caballero, Christensen, Zappacosta, Fabregas, Barkley, Willian, Hazard
So that’s Giroud and Morata starting together for the first time? The official Chelsea Twitter still gave it as a 3-4-3, but surely Giroud is not playing as a winger. 3-4-1-2? 4-4-2?
Rudiger is restored, Christensen is rested, as are both Hazard and Willian ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup semifinal.
Date / Time: Thursday, April 19th, 2018, 19:45 BST; 2:45 pm EDT; 12:15 am IST
Venue: Turf Moor, Burnley, England
Referee: Bobby Madley
On TV: Sky Sports (UK); NBCSN, Telemundo (USA); Star Sports Select HD2 (India); elsewhere
Streaming online: Sky Go (UK); NBC Sports Live, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo (USA); Hotstar (India)
Please keep comments civil and be excellent to each other.
ES Football Newsletter Enter your email address Please enter an email address Email address is invalid Email address is invalid Email address is invalid Email cannot be used. Try another or register with your social account
Victor Moses put in a man of the match performance as his goal sealed a 2-1 victory for Chelsea against Burnley at Turf Moor.
Antonio Conte's side looked much improved in the Thursday-night clash and got the opener when Moses' cross into the box was turned into his own net by Kevin Long in the 20th minute.
But when Ashley Barnes unwittingly touched Johann Berg Gudmundsson's cross, it flew past Thibaut Courtois to haul Burnley back into the Premier League clash in the second half.
However, Moses struck just five minutes later to secure all three points that sends Chelsea to within five points of fourth-placed Tottenham, who followed up their loss to Manchester City at the weekend with a 1-1 draw away to Brighton on Tuesday.
Chelsea captain Gary Cahill admitted before the game against Burnley that the mood of the players had improved significantly following their dramatic comeback win away to Southampton last Saturday.
Olivier Giroud was the hero for the Blues in that game at St Mary's Stadium after the striker came off the bench and scored twice to seal a 3-2 win that got Chelsea back on track in their bid to close the gap between themselves and fourth-placed Tottenham.
Indeed, Giroud's performance against the Saints was enough to convince Conte to start him alongside Alvaro Morata in a 3-5-2 formation at Turf Moor - which proceeded to cause Burnley all sorts of problems in the first half.
Giroud's run into the box in just the eighth minute resulted in Long bringing him down, although no penalty was given to the visitors, before the Frenchman's flick-on was latched onto by Morata - only for Nick Pope to deny the Spaniard.
Chelsea were playing with an air of confidence not seen from the Blues in a long time, and they duly went ahead in the 20th minute when Moses sent a cross into the box, which saw Long and Pope fail to communicate well enough.
The pair both ran for the same ball, which ended up rebounding off Long and into the back of the net to hand Chelsea a deserved lead.
Burnley reacted well, and had a great chance to restore parity but Barnes failed to make contact with Matthew Lowton's cross from the right despite being just a few yards away from the goal.
But Chelsea were firmly in control by this point and should have doubled their advantage when N'Golo Kante went for goal from long distance but saw his effort fly over the bar.
Conte, managing his 100th Chelsea game, looked frustrated at his side's inability to convert their chances - which was vindicated when Burnley came out in the second half and piled the pressure on the visitors' defence.
And the hosts got the equaliser they were looking for moments after Morata wasted a perfect chance to score when he ran through on goal but somehow contrived to fire wide.
Gudmundsson was involved in the goal when his long-range effort deflected off Barnes - not standing in an offside position despite the protests of the Chelsea defenders - and past Courtois.
But Chelsea reacted quickly as Emerson, on his first Premier League start, sent in a cross from the left that fell to Moses at the far post and was fired in by the 27-year-old.
Conte brought off an angry-looking Morata for Eden Hazard, who had been rested ahead of the FA Cup semi-final clash against Southampton in less than 72 hours' time.
But there were to be no more goals as Chelsea held on to get their Champions League hopes back on track.
