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EPL: Chelsea blow Burnley away 3-1

New signings Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas made an instant impact for Chelsea as they launched their Premier League title bid with a confident 3-1 win at promoted Burnley on Monday (Aug 19). 

Former Arsenal midfielder Fabregas, brought in from Barcelona during the close season, was influential throughout the game, having a hand in all three Chelsea goals and striking up an impressive midfield pairing with Eden Hazard.


Cesc Fabregas had an impressive game in the heart of Chealsea's midfield. Photo: Reuters

It was Burnley though who took a surprise lead in the 14th min with a superb drive from Scott Arfield after a fine run and pull back from Matt Taylor.


Burnley's Scott Arfield celebrates his goal against Chelsea with teammate Kieran Trippier. Photo: Reuters

But any hopes the capacity home crowd at Turf Moor had of witnessing an upset were quickly dashed as Chelsea's new signing, Brazilian-born Spain international Costa, brought the Londoners level on his Premier League debut – firing in after a Branislav Ivanovic cross-shot, following a Fabregas back-heel, had come out off the post. 

Four minutes later, Chelsea had the lead – Fabregas providing a beautiful first time pass to German World Cup winner Andre Schurrle who confidently drove home. 

Burnley looked shell-shocked and their manager Sean Dyche will be disappointed with the slack defending for Chelsea’s third as an unchallenged Ivanovic slotted in a Fabregas corner in the 34th minute.

Lancashire club Burnley, whose entire squad cost just a fraction of Costa’s reported 32 million pound transfer fee, will have taken some heart though from the way they applied themselves after the break, even if they rarely threatened to alter the scoreline

Chelsea brought on Didier Drogba for his first official appearance of his second spell with the club as a late substitute to the delight of their travelling supporters.

Source: Reuters

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