Matt Scrafton's verdict on Burnley's 3-2 defeat to West Ham
Burnley fell to a third straight Premier League defeat despite pushing Chelsea all the way in a spirited display.
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The Clarets were more than a match for the second-placed Blues, who now move within three points of league leaders Arsenal
In fact, Scott Parker’s men were the better side during the first-half, but cruelly found themselves going in behind due to Pedro Neto’s back post header.
The hosts had otherwise looked the more threatening, finding themselves in dangerous positions on a number of occasions, only to lack that decisive bit of quality in the key moments.
The Clarets also felt they ought to have been awarded a penalty prior to Neto’s opener in a bizarre incident, where Trevoh Chalobah handled the ball after goalkeeper Robert Sanchez had taken a short goal kick to him.
Burnley huffed and puffed during the second-half, but just as they appeared to be launching a late onslaught - Enzo Fernandez added a late second to put the game to bed.
The Clarets were frustratingly beaten 3-2 by relegation rivals West Ham in their last outing before the international break.
Pedro Neto beats Martin Dubravka to score Chelsea's first goal (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP via Getty Images)placeholder image
Pedro Neto beats Martin Dubravka to score Chelsea's first goal (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP via Getty Images)
But despite Scott Parker venting his frustration with the result post-match, the Clarets boss was ultimately pleased with his side’s performance – and subsequently kept faith with the same starting XI for today’s visit of Chelsea.
Armando Broja also kept his place on the bench despite his injury scare for Albania, where he was stretchered off in tears during their World Cup qualifier against England.
Quilindschy Hartman, meanwhile, was fine to continue after overcoming the illness that kept him out of action for Netherlands during the international break.
Jordan Beyer, Connor Roberts and Zeki Amdouni all remain sidelined.
As for Chelsea, they made four changes from their 3-0 victory over Wolves, with the likes of Moises Caicedo, Garnacho and Estevao only named on the bench.
Cole Palmer missed out with a broken toe after suffering a freak accident at home.
Burnley were the first side to threaten, with Kyle Walker picking out the unmarked Quildinschy Hartman at the back post, but the Dutchman’s pullback into the six-yard box was cleared.
Chelsea ‘keeper Robert Sanchez then proceeded to whack his clearance into the back of teammate Enzo Fernandez, who miraculously lifted himself off the ground as soon as referee Peter Bankes stopped the game for the Argentine to receive treatment.
The Clarets continued to play some tidy stuff during the opening exchanges, as Loum Tchaouna saw a shot blocked after being set free down the right flank.
The hosts had to be careful though, with an early pass from Tchaouna going astray, allowing Chelsea to break with a numerical advantage - but thankfully Liam Delap took the wrong option, ignoring the men either side of him to lash a shot high and wide.
But Burnley continued to exploit the space in behind Chelsea’s backline, with Jaidon Anthony having a shot blocked after being the latest man to be set free.
Anthony, who was in need of a good performance after a spell of poor form, was again given the opportunity to get a shot off at goal, but he dithered one second too long, allowing Tosin to make the block.
Tchaouna tried his luck from range with a first-time effort on his left foot, but - despite catching it well - Sanchez was untroubled, making a comfortable save.
All Burnley were lacking was that moment of quality in the final third, because otherwise they were well on top and by far the better side.
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Just before the half-hour mark, the Clarets were slightly unfortunate not to be awarded a freak penalty when Sanchez played a goal kick short to Trevoh Chalobah, who immediately placed his hand on the ball to take it himself. But the referee ignored Burnley’s protests and allowed the game to continue.
It took until the 35th minute for Chelsea to seriously threaten for the first time, but thankfully for Burnley Kyle Walker came to their rescue to stop a certain goal - getting back to deny Jamie Gittens a simple tap-in at the back post after Pedro Neto had played a teasing ball across the face of the Burnley goal.
It was a warning Burnley didn’t heed, because within a couple of minutes Chelsea opened the scoring through Neto, who coasted in unopposed at the back post to nod home Gittens’ cross.
It was so harsh on the home side, but it was another illustration - as if Burnley needed it - of the huge gulf in quality, especially in these key, decisive moments.
Nothing of real note happened for the remainder of the half, handing Parker the opportunity to regroup and refocus ahead of the second-half.
While they emerged unchanged, Reece James was withdrawn for the visitors and replaced by Benoit Badiashile, which saw Chalobah shift over to right-back.
The message during the interval appeared to be show more aggressive, with Kyle Walker and Josh Cullen both picking up bookings during the first five minutes of the second period.
Chelsea were the stronger side at the start of the half, threatening a second through Gittens who curled just wide, via the aid of a deflection off former Blues man Lesley Ugochukwu.
Neto was then denied his brace just after the hour mark when his near post effort rebounded off the foot of the post, with Martin Dubravka appearing to get the slightest of touches.
Burnley finally threatened when Zian Flemming did superbly to control Hartman’s long ball on his chest, only to lash comfortably over the Chelsea bar.
This served to fire up the Burnley crowd, while Parker quickly turned to his bench to freshen things up - introducing Hannibal, Lyle Foster and Armando Broja.
A Chelsea change almost added the game’s second goal when Marc Guiu was allowed to get a shot off at goal after Cullen had slipped in the middle of the park, but Dubravka tipped it over his bar.
Controversy soon ensued at the other end as Burnley began to apply some late pressure, with Maxime Esteve clearly being wrestled not once, but twice as sub Jacob Bruun Larsen prepared to take a corner.
But despite booking Badiashile, the referee didn’t award the penalty with the incident occurring before the ball was in play.
With the Clarets pushing for a late equaliser, they always ran the risk of conceding a second at the other end - and that’s exactly what happened two minutes from time.
Enzo Fernandez grabbed it, steering home past two men on the goalline after Guiu had got the wrong side of Axel Tuanzebe.
It put paid to Burnley’s spirited efforts, which arguably deserved a point. But once again they fell just short.
TEAMS
Burnley: Dubravka, Walker, Tuanzebe, Esteve, Hartman, Florentino (Laurent), Cullen, Ugochukwu (Hannibal), Tchaouna (Bruun Larsen), Anthony (Foster), Flemming (Broja)
Subs not used: Weiss, Ekdal, Pires, Edwards
Chelsea: Sanchez, James (Badiashile), Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella, Santos, Fernandez, Neto, Pedro (Guiu), Gittens, Delap (Gusto)
Subs not used: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Hato, Caicedo, Estevao, Garnacho
Referee: Peter Bankes
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