Chelsea boss Frank Lampard admitted he took great enjoyment from watching his exciting young Chelsea side beat Burnley 4-2 this evening at Turf Moor.
Both sides started full of positivity and energy, despite the obvious contrasts in their playing styles. Chelsea would take the lead on 21 minutes when Christian Pulisic ruthlessly punished a Matt Lowton slip, with the American attacker finishing expertly with his left foot.
Burnley responded well to falling behind and really should have drawn level, only to see Ashley Barnes fluff his lines from close range after a trademark Clarets free-kick routine.
Sean Dyche’s men would then be made to pay just before the break with Pulisic again finishing well, this time with his right foot, after another defensive mistake by the home side.
Ten minutes after the break Pulisic sealed the win for the Blues and completed a perfect hat-trick, heading home a pacey cross from Mason Mount.
The only two Americans with Premier League hat tricks: Clint Dempsey and Christian Pulisic ???????? pic.twitter.com/2er4mUKZ7l
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 26, 2019
Brazilian attacker Willian then further confirmed Lampard’s side domination, drilling home past Nick Pope after a swift counter-attack.
However, it would turn out to be something of a nervy finish for Chelsea after a fine long-range strike from Jay Rodriguez was quickly followed up by a deflected finish from Dwight McNeil.
The Clarets faithful sensed a famous comeback, but despite the home sides best efforts Chelsea held on for what is their seventh successive win in all competitions.
Speaking after the game Chelsea manager Lampard was delighted with the showing his side produced.
“This is a really tough place to go and the way we controlled the game, our midfield combinations and movement, was beautiful to watch. I really enjoyed watching them today.” Lampard told Sky Sports.
Matchwinner Pulisic was starting his first top flight game since the end of August, and Lampard revealed that he has intentionally eased the £57 million man into his first-team plans.
“He had a week’s break this summer. He arrived for a big price and wanted to come straight back in but at the same time why am I going to throw him in? So I have to do it in the right way and get the best out of him. I’m delighted for him.”
.@ChelseaFC have won 4 successive away @premierleague games, scoring 3 or more goals in each. It is the first time they have achieved this feat in their top division history. pic.twitter.com/d8LIelo5aV
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) October 26, 2019
Pulisic was the only change Lampard made from the midweek win over Ajax and the Blues boss admitted that it is difficult to change a winning side despite the hectic fixture schedule, while he also revealed that he will let his defenders off with conceding two late goals, due to the overall nature of his sides performance.
“It’s a balance, I always think one, two or three games ahead. But there’s an argument that we are doing okay, they are hungry, and I felt one change was enough today. It’s important we keep our feet on the ground. We played well but we can play better.”
“I will be the first to criticise sloppy goals, and they were. But not tonight because of the way they played, their movement on the ball, there were so many great things to admire. I’m not letting that in the dressing room tonight, we came to a really tough place and won comfortably.”
This evening’s win sees Lampard’s side consolidate their place in the top four, with their next Premier League outing an away trip to face bottom side Watford.
Read: Five highest scoring teams in Premier League history
Read: Five shock transfers that made us fall off our chairs
