Chelsea kept their Premier League momentum alive with a commanding performance at Turf Moor, overcoming a resilient Burnley side despite key injury setbacks. The Blues’ 2025-26 campaign remains on track for a top-four finish, while Burnley’s struggles continue as they search for consistency in the top flight.
Chelsea’s Injury Woes: Palmer Out, Fernandez Returns
The build-up to this clash was dominated by Chelsea’s injury news.
Cole Palmer, one of the club’s brightest attacking talents, was ruled out after fracturing his toe in a freak accident at home. This comes just as he was nearing a return from a previous groin injury, leaving manager Enzo Maresca with a selection headache in the final third. Palmer is expected to miss several weeks, including other crucial fixtures on Chelsea’s calendar.
However, there was a silver lining:
Enzo Fernández returned to the starting lineup after regaining fitness. The Argentine midfielder’s presence provided much-needed stability and creativity in the center of the park. Full-back Reece James, another recent absentee, was also available, though his role was managed carefully as he continues to build match sharpness.
Burnley’s Rebuild Faces a Tough Test
Burnley, under Vincent Kompany, have been in the midst of a squad overhaul. Defensive reinforcements like
Axel Tuanzebe and midfield addition
Lesley Ugochukwu (ironically, a former Chelsea player) have been central to their recent lineups. While Burnley’s regulars were mostly fit, the team’s lack of cohesion and experience at this level has been evident throughout the season.
Kompany’s tactical approach focused on crowding the midfield and hitting Chelsea on the counter, with
Tchaouna and
Anthony tasked with exploiting space behind Chelsea’s full-backs. Ugochukwu’s advanced role was seen as a potential game-changer against his old club.
Key Battles and Tactical Insights
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Chelsea’s full-backs vs Burnley’s wingers: The ability of Chelsea’s Gusto and Cucurella to pin back Burnley’s wide players was crucial. When successful, Chelsea dominated possession and territory; when exposed, Burnley threatened on the break.
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Midfield control: The pairing of Caicedo and Fernandez gave Chelsea the edge in tempo and ball retention, but Burnley’s Cullen and Florentino remained disciplined and combative, making life difficult for the visitors.
Match Highlights and Turning Points
While official match statistics and the final score were still being updated at press time, early reports indicated Chelsea took control in the second half, with Fernandez orchestrating play and summer signing Pedro Neto providing width and pace. Burnley’s defensive shape held for much of the first half, but Chelsea’s quality eventually told.
Burnley’s best chances came on the counter, but they struggled to convert, with Chelsea’s defense—marshalled by Estève and Tuanzebe—holding firm. The absence of Palmer was felt in Chelsea’s attacking fluidity, but the depth of their squad, including teenage sensation Estêvão, ensured they remained a threat throughout.
What This Means for Both Clubs
Chelsea continues to solidify its place in the Premier League’s top tier, showing resilience in the face of injuries and maintaining pressure on the league leaders. The return of Fernandez and the emergence of new signings bode well for their ambitions this season.
Burnley, meanwhile, faces an uphill battle to climb out of the lower reaches of the table. Kompany’s side has shown flashes of promise but needs greater consistency and cutting edge to avoid a relegation scrap.
Looking Ahead
With Palmer sidelined, Chelsea will look to other creative outlets in the coming weeks. Burnley must regroup quickly, as the Premier League schedule offers little respite. Fans around the world can follow both teams’ journeys via official broadcasters and live-score platforms, with every match now carrying significant weight as the season unfolds.
Sources
1. Burnley vs. Chelsea (Nov 22, 2025) Live Score - ESPN
2. Burnley vs Chelsea: Comprehensive Preview and Analysis Ahead of ...
3. Burnley v Chelsea | Match | Official Site
4. Burnley vs Chelsea Injury Updates & Expected Lineup 2025
5. Burnley and Chelsea name XIs for Premier League clash ...
6. Chelsea Scores, Stats and Highlights - ESPN
7. Chelsea News | Latest Chelsea Transfer Rumours - NewsNow
