Full time match review + player ratings Chelsea 2-0 Burnley

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 Goals from Azpiliqueta and Alonso secure Thomas Tuchel's       first win as Chelsea boss

Cesar Azpiliqueta slots away from close range to score the first goal of the Thomas Tuchel Era

Emphatic finishes from Spanish Defenders Cesar Azpiliqueta and Marcos Alonso gave Thomas Tuchel his first victory as Chelsea head catch with a comfortable 2-0 victory at home to Burnley. 

The victory ensures Chelsea climb up to seventh place in the premier league however, made it a lot harder than they should have done on a cold Sunday afternoon in West London. 

The first goal of the Thomas Tuchel era was scored by defender Cesar Azpiliqueta whilst taking the lead in the 41st minute , smashing home a shot in from close range past Clarets goalkeeper Nick Pope. 

Fellow Spaniard Marcos Alonso secured the three points for the Blues six minutes from the end with a terrific near post volley. 

As expected, Chelsea had total domination of the ball at Stamford Bridge with the first opportunity falling to Mason Mount who made a welcome return to the team. Mount collected the ball on the edge of the area, turned and saw his effort curl over the crossbar. 

Chelsea should have scored four minutes later when Jorginho and Matteo Kovacic combined on the halfway line which resulted in the Croatian surging towards the box. Rather than firing at goal though Kovacic under hit a pass to Callum Hudson-Odoi who saw his effort blocked over the crossbar.

Chelsea were knocking on the door as a flurry of chances kept coming , centre back Thiago Silva headed over from a Cesar Azpiliqueta cross this then followed with a tame Matteo Kovacic attempt straight at Mick Pope after being teed  up by Mason Mount. 

Burnley attempted to find gaps in order to exploit Chelsea, but were unable to find a way through.

Another opportunity fell to Chelsea in the 26th minute . A clipped ball from Jorginho fell at the back post for Marcos Alonso , but his header was too deep for both Tammy Abraham and Mason Mount who ended up colliding after a miscommunication.

Life hasn't been enjoyable for Timo Werner as of late and his problems continued. A ball played across the box from Callum Hudson-Odoi from six yards out presented a great opportunity. However, the German somehow managed to fluff his lines and the chance had gone before the half hour mark. 

Two chances then fell to Mason Mount in quick succession. Within 30 minutes he blazed a chance over from the edge of the area , then four minutes later he had another chance which he was unable to get on target. 

However, four minutes before the half time interval, Chelsea finally took one of their opportunities and scored their first goal under Thomas Tuchel. Chelsea opened Burnley up with excellent link-up play between Mason Mount and Callum Hudson-Odoi who found captain Azpiliqueta arriving to fire past Nick Pope to give Chelsea the lead. 

At half-rime Tammy Abraham was taken off and replaced by Christian Pulisic.

Another opportunity then fell for Timo Werner as he met a cross from Callum Hudson-Odoi only for his shot to be directed straight at Nick Pope. 

Chelsea almost doubled their lead in the 57th minute. Callum Hudson-Odoi picked the ball up and drove towards goal but saw his effort deflected onto the post by defender Erik Pieters.

The visitors were forced into a change in the 62nd minute as Chris Wood who was carrying a knock was replaced by Johann Gudmundson. 

The chemistry between Callum Hudson-Odoi and Mason Mount was clear to see as they combined yet again before the latter saw his low cross deflected by Ben Mee from going goalwards, but Clarets goalkeeper Nick Pope saved brilliantly yo stop Chelsea from going further ahead in the 67th minute. 

The next chance fell in the 71st minute to Christian Pulisic as he was found again by Callum Hudson-Odoi but the American could only steer his effort wide of Nick Pope's goal.

This proved to be the final involvement for Callum Hudson-Odoi as a minute after this he was replaced by Reece James. 

Substitute James almost had an instant impact however, his low shot was kept out well by Nick Pope. 

With ten minutes to go a third and final change was made by Tuchel which saw Mason Mount replaced by Kai Havertz. 

Marcos Alonso put the game to bed with a stunning front post volley

The game was finally put to bed by Marcos Alonso who in the 84th minute struck a fantastic front post volley.

Tuchel's men saw out the remainder of the game to keep a second clean sheet under the German, and secure his first win as Chelsea head coach.

Next up for Chelsea is the big London derby away at Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday evening followed by a visit to Brammal Lane to face Sheffield United on Sunday 7th of February

Player ratings 

Edouard Mendy - 6

Cesar Azpiliqueta - 8

Thiago Silva - 7

Antonio Rudiger - 6

Marcos Alonso - 8

Matteo Kovacic - 7

Jorginho - 6

Callum Hudson-Odoi - 9 (Man of the Match)

Mason Mount - 7

Timo Werner - 6

Tammy Abraham - 5 

Subs 

Reece James - 7

Kai Havertz - 6

Christian Pulisic - 7

Drop your thoughts of the performance in the comments 

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