#2 Chelsea faultless despite the absence of star man Hazard
Pep Guardiola had referred to Tottenham Hotspurs as the Harry Kane's team last season. While this did not sit well with the Spurs manager; Mauricio Pochettino, there was an element of truth to it.
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The same could have been said about Eden Hazard and Chelsea this season. There has been a feel-good element in the team’s play brought about by new coach Maurizio Sarri’s tactics. However, these tactics have worked majorly because of the mercurial Belgian.
Hazard’s goals, assists, dribbling, and efforts have covered up the fact that the rest of the attack has not been effective.
However, they really came to the party against Burnley. With the Belgian sitting out the game due to a back injury, Ross Barkley took up the role of chief protagonist. Playing as the most advanced midfielder behind the front three of Alvaro Morata, Pedro and Willian, the England international was amazing with his movement, passing and positioning.
He gave the Burnley midfield pair of Sebastian Defour and Jack Cork a torrid time as he set up Morata and Willian for the first and third goals. In between, he got the second himself.
Burley had started on the front foot and caused Chelsea some discomfort with their high press and intensity. However, once Jorginho and N’Golo Kante got a foothold in the game, the tide changed.
The display by the team despite the absence of its biggest star will have given Sarri huge encouragement and belief that his Blues’ team can continue their run.
