Chelsea v Burnley: Two points dropped as Burnley did what was necessary

Chelsea lost two points to Burnley. It would be wrong to say it was entirely up to the Blues. Burnley did exactly what they had to do and though it wasn’t pretty (or very sportsmanlike), Chelsea fans can hardly be the ones taking issue with a results oriented approach. Even still, Chelsea should have won that match and they have (mostly) themselves to blame.

The majority of the match was very, very good. Chelsea was creating chances for fun. When the second half began, the Blues absolutely peppered the Burnley goal with Nick Pope standing on his head and several defenders making crucial, last second tackles. Though it was 1-0, it seemed a matter of when, not if it would become more and Burnley never looked as though they would get out of their half at all.

But it only takes one mistake to turn a game on its head. The attack was innocent enough and seemingly well dealt with as Chelsea had already retreated to their own half as Burnley played out the back. They managed to get it out wide, switched play, and one very hopeful ball into the box found the head of Matej Vydra. Really the only thing the Blues did wrong the entire play was keep Vydra onside. But that’s all it takes. One small mistake proves costly. Suddenly, the Blues found themselves 1-1 in a game they completely dominated.

What happened afterwards is of little consequence. Thomas Tuchel made subs but ultimately everything on the field was a desperate attempt to get the result that should have been in the bag. The Blues were lucky not to  go down 2-1 on another breakaway and it was clear that whatever control and dominance would come to nothing.

It’s never ideal to drop two points to a team that was in the palm of your hand for 70+ minutes. Burnley did what they had to do and Pope reminded the league why he’s amazing. Chelsea can point to chances that very much should have gone in, but there are too many to blame one player.

Instead, chalk it up as one of those days that was probably overdue. In a run of matches against “smaller” teams that tend to trip Chelsea up, the Blues beat all but Burnley and Southampton (depending on how one counts a win through penalties). Chelsea will remain top of the table going into the last international break of 2021 and that is a huge accomplishment for this young team, Champions League winners or not.

The real trick now is to draw the line in the sand at Burnley. Winter is where Chelsea seasons have gone off the rails in recent years. It happened to Antonio Conte’s Chelsea in January 2018, Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea in January and February of 2019, and Frank Lampard’s Chelsea in December 2020 and January 2021. Thomas Tuchel has been amazing for the club, but this is the biggest test he’s yet to face.

Let Burnley be a learning experience. Move on from it and be better for next time. Because it’s all uphill from here.