Chelsea 3 Burnley 0: Dazed Brian Jensen seeing stars in blue
Credit : By Matt Barlow
Last updated at 11:39 PM on 30th August 2009
Burnley goalkeeper Jensen is a Manchester United fan who had just witnessed a terrifying close-up of Chelsea's new swagger, so there's little wonder he felt dazed.
Jose Mourinho would probably have been equally distressed had it seen it. The reckless pursuit of a third goal in the name of entertainment, when the points were already safe? It is enough to send a shiver of disgust down his special spine.
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Pow! Wow! Ashley Cole celebrates scoring Chelsea’s third goal
in seven minutes to wrap up their comprehensive victory
Mourinho once went to the trouble of explaining why, for him, it was better to win 2-0 than 5-0. Roman Abramovich disagreed. Abramovich preferred 5-0, although, when Luiz Felipe Scolari tested him on the matter, he warmed to 2-0. It was, apparently, better than drawing.
Carlo Ancelotti has taken care to avoid any grand promises to thrill. Reluctantly, he admitted this was "probably the best match" since he arrived. The Italian and his advisors are aware how Scolari's team were looking good this time last year, but six months later the Brazilian was clearing his desk.
Ancelotti went top of the table after overwhelming this tidy and well-balanced Burnley which has beaten two of last season's top five. Abramovich hunkered down in his seat in the West Stand to enjoy a brisk and fluent exhibition with goals from Nicolas Anelka, Michael Ballack and Ashley Cole.
Martin Paterson missed a magnificent chance to give the Clarets the lead but only a series of excellent first-half saves from Jensen and a late goalline clearance from Tyrone Mears kept rampant Chelsea down to three.
'It was a bit of a footballing lesson for us,' said Jensen. 'It's great to watch and everyone can see the quality. It doesn't matter who they play, you saw it against Sunderland and Steve Bruce said it was one of the best attacking displays he'd seen. We saw it again and nobody can deny it.
'I don't want to say too much because I'm a Man United fan myself but, personally, I think Chelsea are the team to beat so far.'
Four straight wins represents Chelsea's best start to a season since they last won the title in 2005/06, a campaign when they won the first nine and led from the front all season.
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Dazed and confused: Jensen was unable hold off an attack from Cole
'We are always happy when we are first,' said Ballack, who is in the final year of his contract and has yet to win the Premier League. 'We know this situation and we can deal with it. It's early in the season and we know there's a lot to do to keep this position but we've started well and the victories have given us a lot of confidence.'
So far so good for Ancelotti with the midfield diamond of Michel Essien, Ballack, Frank Lampard and Deco sparkling nicely and a new contract on the table for captain John Terry. Up front, Didier Drogba and Anelka look dangerous.
Motivated: Michael Ballack
'When Didi and Nico are up front together they are virtually unplayable,' said Terry.
'They're strong, fit and they score goals. It's important that they stay fit.'
The Africa Cup of Nations in January will rob Chelsea of Drogba, Essien and Salomon Kalou and the narrow formation will be tested at times when they are forced to defend in wide areas.
But the Blues are further encouraged by the faltering form of their main rivals. United, Liverpool and Arsenal have all been beaten.
'It gives us a little bit extra motivation when they lose,' said Ballack. 'We recognise this but we have to be focused, even against the smaller teams because you can drop points.
'If we play the best we can, I'm sure we can win the league because we have a strong team. We've had some periods, especially last year, when we were struggling at home. We won a lot of away games but we drew too many at home and that's what cost us the league in the end.'
The good news for Burnley is that they don't have to play Chelsea every week. Next up, after the break, it's Liverpool away.
'We'll need to defend better because there's no doubt Liverpool have similar qualities to Chelsea, with world class finishers at their disposal,' said manager Owen Coyle.
'But we'll look to take the positives from the start we've had, move on and be ready to give our best because, if we do that, we've a fighting chance of staying in what I believe is the best league in the world.'
Chelsea (4-4-2): Cech 6; Bosingwa 6 (Belletti 66 min, 5), Carvalho 6, Terry 6, A Cole 7; Ballack 7 (Mikel 83), Essien 8, Deco 7, Lampard 7; Drogba 8 (Kalou 75, 4), Anelka 7.
Subs: Hilario, Ivanovic, Malouda, Sturridge.
Burnley (4-5-1): Jensen 8; Mears 5, Carlisle 7, Bikey 5, Jordan 6; Fletcher 5, Elliott 6, Alexander 6 (McDonald 74, 4), McCann 6, Blake 6 (Guerrero 78, 3), Paterson 5 (Gudjonsson 59, 4).
Subs: Penny, Kalvenes, Thompson, Eagles.
Bookings: Mears.
Man of the Match: Michael Essien.
Referee: Mark Clattenburg.
