CALLUM HUDSON-ODOI scored his first Premier League goal as Chelsea shrugged off their home struggles with a 3-0 win over Burnley at Stamford Bridge.
Frank Lampard had seen his team lose three of their past four top-flight matches on their own patch and they had an early scare when a debatable offside call denied Jeff Hendrick the opener.
However, Jorginho’s 27th-minute penalty and Tammy Abraham’s 15th of the season in all competitions settled nerves.
Hudson-Odoi then got in on the act and only some wastefulness from Abraham averted a heavier defeat for Burnley, who are four points above the relegation zone in 15th having played a game more than the four sides immediately below them.
Burnley thought they were ahead in the 18th minute, but Ben Mee was flagged offside when he nodded Dwight McNeil’s free-kick back across goal for Hendrick to finish.
A VAR review allowed a marginal call from the referee’s assistant to stand and the visitors again had no help from the video official when Chelsea went ahead.
Although Matthew Lowton pulled his boot out of a challenge on Willian, who appeared to be anticipating contact, he still clattered into the Brazil winger and Jorginho coolly dispatched from 12 yards.
McNeil’s set pieces were causing Chelsea problems, with Kepa Arrizabalaga turning a low attempt to his near post behind before Mee’s header from the resulting corner was cleared off the line by Ross Barkley.
Mee’s positioning might have inconvenienced Nick Pope when the Burnley goalkeeper waved Abraham’s header into his net.
Pope partially atoned for that bizarre lapse with a sharp stop from Reece James, who crossed impeccably for Abraham’s goal.
Lax Burnley defending allowed Hudson-Odoi to slide in Cesar Azpilicueta’s cross four minutes after the restart, with a VAR check concluding Abraham did not get a flick on that would have seen the goal ruled out for offside.
Abraham misjudged to head over at the near post, having been denied by a reflex stop from Pope, who kept out a Willian piledriver and first-time Mason Mount strike inside the final 15 minutes.
The win means that Lampard’s men were able to keep the gap between themselves and the Red Devils - who were similarly convincing winners over Norwich City – in fifth at five points. Chelsea are now unbeaten in three league matches after an uneven run and will hope to relocate their early season consistency.
They travel to Newcastle United next Saturday, with Burnley hosting high-flying Leicester City a day later as they seek to avoid a fifth consecutive top-flight loss.
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Legend !!
Is he retiring from international rugby after the World Cup ?
Yup
2 years ago after his back gave out I watched his come back for young Munster ..walked away that day thinking Big Paulie is done. .So Slow & average. .Well We All Know That’s Not How POC. Head Work’s. AN Insperational. Human being
We’ll be lucky to see his like again.
No!!! I can’t bring myself to read the articles!!
:( would he not stay another year and bring home the hat-trick of 6nations!!!! :(
We were lucky to see his likes…
Love Paul. I will miss him terribly in the Munster red and Ireland green, but Toulon……of all teams….they are killing rugby……
As much as I love the man, as long as Irish teams still play in the Champions cup I hope He never wins another one.
Toner is coming on leaps and bounds but will he be partnered by Tuohy?