Chelsea edge Burnley 2-0 as Neto and Fernández seal win at Turf Moor

Chelsea delivered a clinical performance at Turf Moor on November 22, 2025, defeating Burnley 2-0 to climb temporarily to second place in the Premier League. Goals from Pedro Neto in the 37th minute and Enzo Fernández in the 88th minute sealed the victory, extending Chelsea’s unbeaten run to five wins in six league matches. The match, played before 21,499 fans under a damp Lancashire sky, saw Chelsea dominate possession (58.7%) and create clear chances with precision — but it was moments of brilliance, not volume, that decided it.

Lineup Shifts and Tactical Shifts

Manager Enzo Maresca made four changes from the side that beat Wolverhampton Wanderers, signaling both rest and rotation ahead of a congested schedule. Reece James returned at right-back — and as captain — replacing Malo Gusto, while Tosin Adarabioyo stepped in for the injured Wesley Fofana. In midfield, 21-year-old Andrey Santos replaced Moisés Caicedo, partnering with vice-captain Enzo Fernández. Up front, Jamie Gittens started on the left, with Liam Delap leading the line — a bold call given Delap’s limited Premier League minutes this season.

The formation — a fluid 4-2-3-1 — allowed Chelsea to overload the wings while keeping central midfield compact. Burnley, under Scott Parker, sat deep, hoping to counter. But Chelsea’s pressing forced errors, and their movement off the ball stretched Burnley’s backline thin.

The Goals: Brilliance Over Brawn

The opener came in the 37th minute. Jamie Gittens cut inside from the left, drew two defenders, and slipped a low cross into the six-yard box. Pedro Neto, timed his run perfectly, launching himself into a diving header that curled past Martin Dubravka. ESPN captured it best: ‘Neto, who also hit a post in the second half, scored with a spectacular diving header in the 37th minute.’

Burnley had chances — Zian Flemming’s early header was cleared off the line by Trevoh Chalobah — but Chelsea’s defense, marshaled by Tosin Adarabioyo and Chalobah, held firm. Robert Sánchez, the goalkeeper, made two crucial saves, including a point-blank stop from Florentino in the 62nd minute.

The second goal arrived late, in the 88th minute. It started with Robert Sánchez launching a long ball forward. Marc Guiu, the 18-year-old substitute, powered past two defenders, held off a last-ditch tackle, and squared the ball across the face of goal. Enzo Fernández arrived late, took one touch to set himself, and fired low through a crowded penalty area. ‘The second goal for the visitors finally arrived in the 88th minute,’ ESPN noted, ‘a move that started with Sanchez ending with Marc Guiu muscling in behind and squaring for Fernandez, whose shot beat two Burnley defenders on the line.’

Substitutions, Delays, and Drama

Half-time brought a surprise: Reece James was replaced by Benoît Badiashile — not due to injury, but as a tactical tweak to protect the lead. The switch worked: Badiashile brought composure and helped shut down Burnley’s rare attacks.

The match had a brief 90-second delay in the 58th minute after ‘a technical issue with an assistant referee’s radio,’ according to ESPN. Referee Peter Bankes, with VAR official Robert Jones, handled the disruption calmly. No controversy followed.

Burnley threw on Lyle Foster, Hannibal Mejbri, and Armando Broja — who’d just recovered from an ankle injury sustained with Albania — in the final 15 minutes. But Chelsea’s defensive shape held. Burnley’s 13 fouls told the story: desperation, not dominance.

What This Means for Chelsea’s Season

This win takes Chelsea to 23 points — temporarily second in the Premier League — and marks their fifth win in six league games since the international break. It’s the most consistent run under Maresca, and the team is beginning to look like a genuine title contender. The midfield trio of Santos, Fernández, and Chalobah is gelling, while the attack — once reliant on Cole Palmer — now thrives on movement and pace.

More importantly, the clean sheet is a statement. After conceding 12 goals in their first five matches, Chelsea have kept four in their last six. Sánchez, once criticized for his distribution, is now one of the league’s most reliable shot-stoppers.

What’s Next?

Chelsea’s schedule doesn’t ease up. On Wednesday, November 26, they host FC Barcelona in the Champions League — a massive test of their European credentials. Then, just four days later, they welcome Arsenal FC to Stamford Bridge in a top-four clash that could define their season.

For Burnley, it’s another tough night. They remain in the relegation zone, and questions are mounting about their attacking options. With Zeki Amdouni, Connor Roberts, and Jordan Beyer all sidelined, Parker’s squad depth is stretched thin. They’ll need a miracle to avoid the drop.

Player of the Match: Enzo Fernández

It was a close call — Neto’s goal was spectacular, and Gittens’ assist was pure instinct — but Enzo Fernández was named Player of the Match. His 88th-minute goal wasn’t just a finish; it was a statement. At 24, he’s now the heartbeat of Chelsea’s midfield: calm under pressure, lethal in transition, and increasingly the leader the team needs.