Chelsea secured a comfortable 2-0 victory over Burnley, propelled by goals from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez, a result that momentarily lifted them to second place in the English Premier League (EPL). The match, however, showcased a mix of impressive individual performances and areas needing improvement for the Blues.

The opening goal came when Pedro Neto skillfully met Jamie Gittens’ cross at the far post, putting Chelsea ahead. The lead was solidified later in the game when Enzo Fernandez capitalised on a late run into the box, finishing a counter-attack involving Neto and substitute Marc Guiu. Despite the clean sheet and two goals, Chelsea rarely needed to shift out of second gear, managing the game effectively and even resting key players like Moises Caicedo, with crucial matches against Barcelona and Arsenal on the horizon.

The game wasn't without its early challenges for Chelsea. Burnley began brightly, with Jaidon Anthony forcing two early blocked shots and Loum Tchaouna testing Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez with a strike from the edge of the box. Chelsea themselves started slowly, with Trevoh Chalobah's tame long-range effort being their first real test for Burnley keeper Martin Dubravka. However, after Neto's opener, Chelsea took control. Captain Reece James was withdrawn at half-time, a tactical adjustment that saw Chelsea grow increasingly dominant in the second half. Neto nearly doubled his tally, striking a post soon after the interval, while substitute Malo Gusto had a shot saved. Further attempts came from Joao Pedro, Gittens, Fernandez, and Marc Cucurella, underscoring Chelsea's offensive pressure. Their second-half display was largely about game management, maintaining approximately 60% possession and giving little away. Burnley's in-form striker Zian Flemming fired their only second-half chance over the bar, and substitutes Lyle Foster and Armando Broja could not inspire a comeback.

Amidst the victory, two particular individual performances drew significant attention and contrasting commentary. Young midfielder Andrey Santos received widespread praise from former Chelsea forward and TNT Sports pundit Joe Cole. Cole lauded Santos's impressive, calm, intelligent, and disciplined display, which he believed proved the Brazilian was ready for a regular starting role. Santos was handed a rare start by manager Enzo Maresca in a modified defensive role, filling in for the rested Moises Caicedo. He seized the opportunity, diligently breaking up play, tracking runners, and exhibiting superb positional awareness. Cole specifically highlighted Santos’s “natural defensive instincts,” a quality he noted many top midfielders struggle to develop, admitting he had initially questioned how Chelsea would cope without Caicedo but was thoroughly impressed by Santos’s “absolutely outstanding” performance.

Conversely, striker Liam Delap faced sharp criticism from former England striker Michael Owen, who labeled him “selfish.” Owen's assessment followed a specific first-half incident where Delap chose to shoot from long range rather than pass to Pedro Neto, who was in a significantly better scoring position for a one-on-one opportunity. Owen stressed that Delap “needs to be a little bit more unselfish,” describing the £30 million summer signing from Ipswich Town as inconsistent. Delap, who is still waiting to score for his new club, failed to impress and was eventually replaced by Malo Gusto in the 67th minute, with Owen suggesting his long-range effort was a poor choice for a striker still lacking confidence.

The win not only boosted Chelsea's league standing but also provided Maresca with valuable insights into his squad's depth and individual capabilities, particularly in midfield with Santos's emergence, while also highlighting areas for tactical and individual improvement in the attacking third.