Chelsea 2-0 Burnley: Thomas Tuchel gets the first win with César Azpilicueta, goals from Marcos Alonso

Chelsea edged Burnley 2-0 on Sunday afternoon at Stamford Bridge for Thomas Tuchel’s first win as their coach and only his second 2021 Premier League win.

However, there was still plenty of cause for concern as the much-changed attack from the 0-0 draw with the Wolves, Tuchel’s first game in charge, struggled to hit the back of the net, with nearly 20 shots on goal.

They finally made a breakthrough a few minutes before halftime when a Jorginho pass from deep open space for Mason Mount to run past the midline, before he and Callum Hudson-Odoi quickly swapped the ball for the attacker. César Azpilicueta will take him to the goal. from short distance.

Despite the introduction of Christian Pulisic at half-time, his problems in front of goal persisted until the 84th minute, when Marcos Alonso volleyed his ball into the area.

It was a fitting way to score their first game for Chelsea since they faced Frank Lampard on December 26 at halftime against West Brom.

Although Burnley made himself characteristically difficult to break and seemed to brim with confidence in the first half, they were eventually overwhelmed by Chelsea and the only opportunity they created was a James Tarkowski header from a corner in injury time.

That was minutes after rookie Joel Mumbongo hit the post for what would have been his best chance of the game had he not subsequently been called offside.

The victory means Chelsea move up to seventh in the table, albeit with Everton and Aston Villa in eighth and ninth respectively with two games in hand each, and they face Tottenham next Thursday.

Burnley, meanwhile, falls to sixteenth and has another tough game on Wednesday against Manchester City.

While the notion of a low-budget team largely made up of local players staying in the best league in the world is a charming losers story, is it close to having run its course in terms of success? And has it also become quite tedious for the neutral observer?

After two previous one-season forays in 2009-10 and 2014-15, this is his fifth consecutive year in the Premier League. The highlight was finishing seventh in 2017-18 and being able to play in the Europa League the following season, but this being their toughest season at the top level since season one, they must change to continue competing in the Premier League. ?

The new US owners, investment firm ALK Capital, could potentially provide additional investment to provide more flexibility to strengthen than usual, but considering the changed work permit rules due to Brexit, many other clubs could be forced to follow the rules. Burnley’s steps and targeting his transfer strategy to recruit British players as well, which means his recruiting operation will probably not suffer at all.

However, one wonders if the new owners of the club will be as understanding and appreciative of Sean Dyche’s efforts as former president Mike Garlick was.

Plus, the fact that Burnley’s two starting forwards are injured while the team is two spots and eight points above the knockdown is a sinister situation.

Playing slightly out of position on the right-back, Hudson-Odoi’s performances have been the surprising success story of Tuchel’s so far short tenure at the West London club. It was completely unplayable and one reporter even overheard Robbie Brady and his manager arguing about the Irishman’s inability to deal with Hudson-Odoi on the defensive. Not only did he assist the first goal, but he also hit the post himself, completing 100% of his shots and making a whopping ten passes to the opponent’s area, including the three chances he created. After Chelsea was strangely reluctant to loan it, sell it, or use it, it seems Hudson-Odoi has finally found her place on the team. However, it represents bad news for Reece James, who was right to seize the right-back position with Frank Lampard, while England’s plethora of options at the position means that Hudson-Odoi excelling in this role would likely only be received. by a player. Gareth Southgate sigh.

Chelsea: Mendy 6, Azpiliceuta 8, Silva 8, Rudiger 7, Hudson-Odoi 9, Alonso 8, Jorginho 8, Kovacic 7, Mount 7, Werner 6, Abraham 5 … Subs: Pulisic 7, James 6, Havertz 6

Burnley: Papa 7, Pieters 5, Mee 5, Tarkowski 7, Lowton 6, Cork 4, Westwood 5, Brady 5, McNeil 5, Wood 5, Vydra 4 … Subs: Rodríguez 5, Gudmundsson 4, Mumbongo 5

40 ‘- GOAL !!! Azpilicueta finishes home the first goal of the Tuchel era !! It started deep in his middle when Jorginho released Mount. He ran to Burnley’s defense, passed it to Hudson-Odoi, who passed it to Azpilicueta on his right. The speed of their stride was much better and they got their reward for it.

58 ‘- OUT OF THE POST !!! Without a doubt one of the best opportunities in the game! Hudson-Odoi drives Pieters and hits low from inside the box, but the Dutch defender deflects him towards the post. Burnley must be careful that the game does not get out of hand here.

68 ‘- CLOSE !! Brilliant again from Hudson-Odoi, who runs behind to receive the ball and his resulting cross pass is deflected to goal by Mee’s challenge. Pope keeps him out with a great save.

71 ‘- SAVED !! Hudson-Odoi participated once again! This time, his low pass sets up Pulisic, but the American’s first effort meets a reflex save from Pope. How is the Pope not England’s number one goalkeeper ?! He’s kept Burnley at this.

84 ‘- WHAT A GOAL !!! And what a way to mark your return to the team! Alonso controls the ball in the air and hits it on the volley! 2-0 now. Should it be game, set and match surely?