Fabregas inspires Blues opening day win

[BlueLion. 21,491]

A miserly performance from Cesc Fabregas inspired Chelsea to a comfortable win over Burnley at Turf Moor.

The former Arsenal and Barcelona man was at the centre of a brilliant Blues comeback after Scott Arfield had lashed the Clarets ahead with a composed volleyed finish inside 13 minutes.

Fabregas first played a pivotal part in the equaliser, as his intelligent back-heeled pass was crossed in by Branislav Ivanovic. Burnley skipper Jason Shackell could only divert the ball against his own woodwork, leaving Diego Costa the freedom of the penalty area to lash home an instant leveller.

And the diminutive Spaniard excelled himself when, at the end of a breath-taking passage of 25 Chelsea passes, he launched Ivanovic's clipped cross deftly into the path of the onrushing Andre Schurrle, with the German barely having to break stride to thread the ball under the advancing Tom Heaton.

Ivanovic himself earned himself a goal his attacking exploits warranted when he headed in Fabregas' corner after 33 minutes to effectively end the game as a contest - and launch the Blues to the top of the Premier League table after the opening weekend.

On another day, Chelsea might have pressed forward and looked to kill their opponents off, but in typical José Mourinho fashion, his side played within themselves after the break, soaking up Burnley pressure and looking to exploit space on the counter where possible.

Burnley were not lacking in their efforts and against weaker opposition they would surely have fared far better, but the locals at Turf Moor will do well to see the attacking masterclass provided by Chelsea in the first half surpassed by another visitor this season.

There was time even for a return for Didier Drogba in the game's final throes as the Blues comfortably saw out the final forty-five minutes without alarm.

For a moment after Arfield's well-taken opener there were shades of Robbie Blake's winner against then-champions Manchester United in 2009, but the instant response from the left boot of Costa catalysed an attack avalanche from the Londoners.

Fabregas was at the heart of everything good about the Blues, and whilst rivals may say "it was only Burnley", the Turf Moor club will have a shot of staying up if they can match their endeavours here tonight.

Somewhere along the line, someone will slip up at a venue like Burnley's famous old ground, and it is on wet evenings like this that Premier League titles are won and lost.

Burnley caused the Blues some problems - too many, one might argue - and but for a fine fingertip save from Courtois minutes into the second half, Arfield may well have fired the hosts back into contention with a cultured, curling effort.

And whilst José Mourinho may pay little attention to his side's early league leadership, he will no doubt raise a quiet toast to the instant impact of his new match-winning Spanish duo.

"[To play for Chelsea] was something I would never have expected, football has brought me here and I will give my best to make it work for me and Chelsea", Fabregas explained after the game.

On this evidence, Cesc, it's working.

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[CHOULO19 24,332]

43 seconds later than usual. Unacceptable!

[BlueLion. 21,491]

43 seconds later than usual. Unacceptable!

I needed the toilet!

[zolayes 14,489]

miserly or masterly.?. I know he never gave the ball away so I guess miserly is correct

[BlueLion. 21,491]

miserly or masterly.?. I know he never gave the ball away so I guess miserly is correct

He kept the ball like a miser!

[Saeed_BK 6]

Amazing display from Fab and great work overall from the squad. Fab fits in our team perfectly. First game done bring on the next one !