Chelsea see out the final few minutes with ease, displaying a real professionalism in their display after doing the damage in the first half.
They weren’t without their genius though, with Cesc Fabregas fantastic in the middle of the park.
Burnley far from disgraced themselves, even going a goal up before the quarter-hour mark.
It would be naive to say that Chelsea are definite title favourites based on this one performance alone, but their display tonight has certainly given the other teams a lot to think about.
Strength in all departments seems to be key for Mourinho’s side, who gained a comfortable win despite Eden Hazard and Oscar having quiet nights compared to what we were used to seeing from them last term.
FINAL SCORE:
Burnley 1
Chelsea 3
Burnley get their 2014 English Premier League campaign underway by taking on Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea in the final match of the opening weekend at Turf Moor. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:00am (AEST).
It promises to be a tough campaign for Burnley and manager Sean Dyche in their first season back in the top flight since the 2009-2010 campaign.
That year proved to be one step too far for the Clarets, finishing 18th and returning to the Championship after just one year in the Premier League.
Chelsea were the Premier League winners in that year, with early-season predictions forecasting that Jose Mourinho’s side can repeat that achievement after finishing in second place in their last campaign.
The Club are in somewhat of a slump given their top flight standards over recent years, failing to win the title since 2010, with transfers both in and out of Stamford Bridge likely to determine their success this time around.
Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas have been premium signings for the Blues, with the pair joining from Atletico Madrid and Barcelona respectively for a sum of £59 million, whilst Costa’s former teammate in Spain, Filipe Luis, has joined for £15.8 million, and could be the final piece of Mourinho’s title-winning puzzle.
What is missing from the Chelsea side however, is the bulk of the heart of their side of recent years, with Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard moving on – at the same time Petr Cech has a battle with Thibaut Courtious for the Stamford Bridge gloves. John Terry, meanwhile, will likely be paired with Gary Cahill on the back of David Luiz’s departure to Paris Saint-Germain.
In comparison, Burnley’s wheeling and dealing has been relatively modest, with Lukas Jutkiewicz’s arrival from Middlesbrough for £1.5 million the only numerically known signing.
Dyche’s managerial nous, however, has already been delved into with the Premier League experience of Matt Taylor, Steven Reid, Michael Kightly and Matt Gilks recruited for the Turf Moor outfit.
It promises to be a cagey affair, with Burnley likely to provide stiff opposition for Chelsea’s opening game, but the Blues’ talent should prevail.
Chelsea to win 2-0
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 5:00am (AEST).
David Burns
Guest
Chelsea fc will hand-out plenty beatdowns, this terms! Oh, email me weekly epl predictions, plz!
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
It would be naive to say that Chelsea are definite title favourites based on this one performance alone, but their display tonight has certainly given the other teams a lot to think about. Strength in all departments seems to be key for Mourinho's side, who gained a comfortable win despite Eden Hazard and Oscar having quiet nights compared to what we were used to seeing from them last term.
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
6:53AM So Chelsea see out the final few minutes with ease, displaying a real professionalism in their display after doing the damage in the first half. They weren't without their genius though, with Cesc Fabregas fantastic in the middle of the park. Burnley far from disgraced themselves, even going a goal up before the quarter-hour mark.
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
90+3' FULL TIME: Burnley 1-3 Chelsea
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
90' Three minutes added on by the referee. Chants aplenty around Turf Moor. Burnley 1-3 Chelsea
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
86' A touch and volley from Drogba, oozing of class but lacking direction as it sails harmlessly wide. Chelsea winding the game down now. Burnley 1-3 Chelsea
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
83' Chelsea's legend returns... SUBSTITUTION Chelsea (Didier Drogba on for Eden Hazard) Drogba's last touch, incidentally, in a competitive Chelsea fixture won the Blues the Champions League.
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
82' SUBSTITUTION Burnley (Marvin Sordell on for Danny Ings)
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
77' SUBSTITUTION Chelsea (Willian on for Andre Schurrle) Burnley 1-3 Chelsea
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
72' Chelsea playing a masterful hand, slowing the tempo right down and keeping possession well. Burnley 1-3 Chelsea
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
70' SUBSTITUTION Burnley (Ashley Barnes and Michael Kightly come on for Matt Taylor and Lukas Jutkiewicz)
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
55' The now infamous vanishing spray gets its first taste of Turf Moor as Chelsea have a free-kick in a decent position. In truth, the spray got more of a cheer from the Chelsea fans that the effort did, as Andre Schurrle curls it comfortably over the bar. The game has settled a touch since the break. Burnley 1-3 Chelsea
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
49' That's why he is in instead of Cech! Courtois pulls off a stunning finger-tip stop from Burnley's goalscorer Arfield who lets fly from distance. Sean Dyche has fired his men up for this second half, and the fans are responding in equal measure. Burnley 1-3 Chelsea
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
46' A bright start from Burnley sees Ings running towards the heart of the Blues defence before firing a shot wide of the left-hand post. Burnley 1-3 Chelsea
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
46' Back underway at Turf Moor. Can we expect the same entertainment in the second half? Burnley 1-3 Chelsea
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
Half Time: Burnley 1-3 Chelsea And that brings us to half-time in a thoroughly outstanding first half at Turf Moor. A dream start for the hosts saw Scott Arfield open the scoring with a lashed shot from the edge of the area, but since then, Jose Mourinho's side have turned on the style with goals from Diego Costa, Andre Schurrle and Branislav Ivanovic in a 17-minute period. Time for a cup of tea and a biscuit. Burnley 1 (Arfield 14') - Chelsea 3 (Costa 17', Schurrle 20', Ivanovic 34')
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
42' Better from Burnley, who finally start to string a few passes together. Little cutting edge at present though. Burnley 1-3 Chelsea
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
39' A rare effort for Burnley, with Danny Ings meeting a Matt Taylor cross at the near post, but the striker can't direct his volley on target. Burnley 1-3 Chelsea
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
34' Sean Dyche will not be a happy man after that goal. A Chelsea corner sees Branislav Ivanovic unmarked and able to head volley at the near postfrom Fabregas' ball in. A fantastic response from the Blues since going a goal behind. Burnley 1-3 Chelsea
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
34' GOAL CHELSEA (Branislav Ivanovic) Burnley 1-3 Chelsea