Chelsea ratings: Sterling runs the show in huge away win but Broja struggles to make an impact
CHELSEA picked up a stunning 4-1 win against Burnley at Turf Moor in what was their best performance of the season.
Raheem Sterling led the Blues to their second successive victory in the Premier League for the first time in the campaign.
The Clarets stunned the West Londoners on 15 minutes when 18-year-old Wilson Odobert became their youngest ever Prem scorer.
But Sterling then drove the ball down the left and his cross took a deflection off Ameen Al-Dakhil who registered an own-goal three minutes before half-time.
The forward, who was left out of Gareth Southgate’s England squad, dominated down the left in the second half as he was fouled in the area by Vitinho – Cole Palmer took on the penalty and scored his first ever Chelsea goal in the 50th minute.
Sterling finally got his goal 15 minutes later after picking up a lovely assist by Conor Gallagher and the ex-Manchester City star’s run down the wing led to a stunning ball to Palmer on the far side before the youngster set Nicolas Jackson up for the fourth.
But who else stood out and who struggled? SunSport’s Kostas Lianos rates each Chelsea player:
ROBERT SANCHEZ – 6
Much better performance by the Chelsea goalkeeper who can’t take the blame for Wilson Odobert’s opener. Only had to make two big saves after the Burnley goal.
AXEL DISASI – 6
A composed performance from the defender after a nervy start at Turf Moor. Didn’t struggle after Odobert’s goal.
THIAGO SILVA – 7
Just like Disasi and Sanchez, Thiago Silva didn’t really had reason to worry after Burnley’s opener. A rock in the centre of defence and was unlucky to pick up a very strict yellow card.
LEVI COLWILL – 6
The centre-back played at left-back after Ben Chilwell’s latest injury and had some big shoes to fill. Struggled a lot in the first half but pulled it together in the second.
MARC CUCURELLA – 6
The left-back started at right-back once more amid Mauricio Pochettino’s injury crisis. Just like Colwill, Marc Cucurella also struggled in the first half as he is left-footed. But he also regained composure in the second half.
CONOR GALLAGHER – 7
A good performance in the midfield trio alongside Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez. Conor Gallagher also set Raheem Sterling’s goal up with a wonderful ball that sealed the three points.
MOISES CAICEDO – 7
Caicedo showed flashes of why Chelsea splashed a Premier League record £115million to sign him in the summer. Strong performance in midfield and played some good balls to release forwards down the wings.
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ENZO FERNANDEZ – 6
A satisfying performance in midfield but Fernandez had a few wrong passes. Did well to keep Burnley’s forwards at bay though.
RAHEEM STERLING – 9
A stunning performance by Sterling who caused Ameen Al-Dakhil’s own goal, got the penalty, scored a goal and played a critical role in Nicolas Jackson’s winner. Absolutely bossed the left wing, are you watching Gareth Southgate?
ARMANDO BROJA – 5
Completely absent in the first half, barely got the ball and failed to create any chances. Pochetino made the right decision to replace him with Jackson, who added some much needed spark up front.
COLE PALMER – 8
Got his first ever Chelsea AND Premier League goal after another impressive display. Palmer and Sterling made a strong claim to cover the wings throughout the season.
SUBS:
NICOLAS JACKSON (ON FOR BROJA, 46′) – 7
Jackson added some much needed spark up front after a toothless performance by Armando Broja in the first half. Showed great composure in his goal as he had the vision to hold on to the ball before firing past James Trafford.
MYKHAILO MUDRYK (ON FOR RAHEEM STERLING, 83′) – 6
Couldn’t replicate Sterling’s stunning performance in the wings, but he had big shoes to fill. Plus he came on late, so not much time to make an impact.
IAN MAATSEN (ON FOR COLE PALMER, 86′) – 6
Didn’t have time to leave his mark.