Overview

Chelsea romped to a 3-0 win on the back of a clinical, efficient and professional performance — the kind of performance that forms the bedrock of every successful season. Barring an early letoff from Ashley Barnes, there was nothing left to chance.

The scoreline could have looked very different had Barnes taken a presentable chance early in the first half, the result of Zouma and Silva swapping sides in the defensive core. Mendy did well to make himself big and put Barnes off the shot, after which Chelsea settled into the game with ease.

Ziyech scored with one of the smartest finishes of the season, making a fool of Nick Pope in the process. Chelsea were largely on cruise control after that goal, managing a brief Burnley resurgence well. Zouma then channeled his inner John Terry to score with a thumping header before Werner put the icing on the cake.

As Chelsea’s new players gel more with each other, performances like this one will be replicated and even bettered. Chelsea could have easily scored a few more goals but for a lack of chemistry: the players got into fantastic positions before failing to make the final pass, thereby explaining the low xG numbers.

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Statistics

Statistics from fbref and understat.

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Individual ratings

Frank Lampard

Finally a 4-3-3 with Kanté at the base: immediately rewarded. Ball progression went up a notch without compromising defensive stability. It is a shame that we will not be able to witness this team on a consistent basis thanks to the hectic and condensed schedule.

In terms of team selection, resting Werner (before Pulisic suffered an injury) was a smart move. While Hudson-Odoi could have been picked, he has not been in great form. However, this leaves the team in a tricky spot in the short-term, with three very important players in need of some crucial rest: Werner, Havertz and Chilwell.

The workloads of all three will have to be managed very carefully. Chilwell, in particular, is already showing faint signs of fatigue. It would be better to rest him for a game than to overplay him and lose him for a month.

RATING: 8

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Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Édouard Mendy

He did not have to face a single shot on target, similar to the Palace game. However, this is not to imply he was a passenger all game. He was crucial in disrupting Barnes early in the game and commanded his box very well against physical opponents.

RATING: 6.5

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Reece James

Progressed the ball excellently and put in some excellent deliveries into the box. He was never likely to be tested heavily by Burnley’s wingers and dealt with his assignments well. In the future, he needs to start aiming his crosses at players in the box rather than merely whipping it into very dangerous areas.

Stats of note
2 successful dribbles (2 attempted) - 1st among Chelsea players
3 passes into penalty box - Joint 1st
8 progressive passes - 2nd
2 shots - Joint 2nd
11 loose-ball recoveries - Joint 3rd

RATING: 7

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Kurt Zouma

Started as the right-sided centre back in a surprising move from Lampard. He had some initial troubles before eventually settling into his new position. Capped off a good, but not great, performance with a bullet header.

Stats of note
1 goal
4 aerial duels won (4 contested) - 2nd
5 clearances - 2nd

RATING: 7

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Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images

Thiago Silva

Not many 36-year-olds go to Turf Moor and get the better of Burnley in terms of physicality, but not many 36-year-olds are Thiago Silva. His desire to defend the box is exceptional and is clearly rubbing off on his teammates. While these are early days, it will not be long before he is viewed as the best centre-half in the league if he plays at this level consistently.

Stats of note
9 clearances - 1st
5 aerial duels won (7 contested) - 1st
15 loose-ball recoveries - 1st
1 shot blocked - 1st

RATING: 8

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Ben Chilwell

Did not put in the kind of all-action displays we have seen thus far, and that’s largely down to fatigue. His decision-making was slower than usual and his crossing radar was off, although he was solid defensively. A few days of rest will do him a world of good.

Stats of note
4 touches in the penalty box - Joint 2nd
2 clearances - 3rd

RATING: 6.5

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N’Golo Kanté

Started as the deepest midfielder for the first time this season and put up a masterclass in footballing intelligence. His ability to recognize space, both to receive passes and to preemptively stop opponent attacks, is unparalleled at the club. He did not do anything fancy but was among the best players on the pitch regardless. At least until Gilmour returns, this should be his starting position.

Stats of note
2 interceptions - 1st
2 tackles won (4 contested) - 2nd
16 pressures - 2nd
7 passes into final third - Joint 2nd
14 loose-ball recoveries - 2nd
6 progressive passes - Joint 3rd

RATING: 8

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Photo by Tim Markland/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Mason Mount

It is no surprise that Mount was the best player on the pitch immediately after being reinstated to his best position. His ability to dictate tempo was fantastic and his vision was crucial in spotting several cross-field passes. He is better defensively than he is given credit for too, and as a real number 8, he makes the 4-3-3 tick.

Stats of note
1 assist
9 progressive passes - 1st
9 passes into final third - 1st
3 key passes - 1st
3 shots - 1st
3 tackles won (4 contested) - 1st
25 pressures - 1st
3 shot-creating actions - Joint 2nd
11 loose-ball recoveries - 3rd

RATING: 9

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Kai Havertz

Kept play ticking over without being at his creative best and made some nice runs into the box without being found by passes. He appears to be in need of a rest soon, ideally within the next week.

Stats of note
7 passes into final third - Joint 2nd
3 shot-creating actions - Joint 2nd

RATING: 6.5

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Photo by Tim Markland/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Hakim Ziyech

Marked his first league start with an outstanding goal and assist. While he did not create a large volume of chances the way he did every week at Ajax, he did an excellent job at progressing the ball and retaining it in the final third. The numbers will follow in due course.

Stats of note
1 goal
1 assist
3 passes into penalty box - Joint 1st
3 shot-creating actions - Joint 2nd
6 progressive passes - Joint 3rd
13 pressures - 3rd

RATING: 8

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Tammy Abraham

Showed vast improvement in his associative play, even dropping deep at times. His awareness helped him spot runners and open up threatening passages of play. However, being the terrific goalscorer he is, he will want to get off more shots in dangerous locations.

Note: He might not have a high volume of progressive passes (or similar metrics) but this is due to the fact he is a striker and strikers touch the ball fewer times than other positions.

Stats of note
1 assist
4 touches in penalty box - Joint 2nd
2 shots - Joint 2nd
3 aerial duels won (5 contested) - 3rd

RATING: 7

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Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images

Timo Werner

His performance showed why he was set for a rest before Pulisic’s injury. He put in the hard yards but he was not sharp enough, either mentally or physically, to capitalize on his ideas. Regardless, he will be very happy to have gotten another goal under his belt.

Stats of note
1 goal
5 shot-creating actions - 1st
9 touches in the penalty box - 1st
2 shots - Joint 2nd

RATING: 7

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Substitutes

Callum Hudson-Odoi (73rd minute) - Was clearly eager to make an impact on the game and played a cute pass to Chilwell inside Burnley’s box.

Olivier Giroud (77th minute) - Showed flashes of his usual hold-up play but could not get into dangerous locations.

Jorginho (86th minute) - Nothing of note.