Just a little reminder for Gareth Southgate, if one was needed. Even today, after all these years, there are only a handful of English players left capable of winning matches on their own.
Granted, he doesn’t do it as often as he used to. And the England manager is keen to take a look at Jarrod Bowen over the next fortnight, with a few other decent options too.
But he’s still there, Raheem Sterling, still doing things that must make Southgate believe there’s a way to use someone who seems to be reviving under Maurico Pochettino. If not this month, maybe next. If not, then maybe not at all.
The elder statesman is now, but you wonder if Chelsea might have found it a little trickier without his major contributions to the four goals. One for him, big moments for the other three, overshadowing the impressive Cole Palmer, who scored his first Chelsea goal from a penalty won by Sterling.
Progress. Consecutive victories for the first time since March; consecutive away victories for the first time in a year.
Raheem Sterling was involved in all four of Chelsea’s goals as the Blues recovered from an early setback to win at Turf Moor
Mauricio Pochettino’s side have now won three consecutive matches in all competitions following victories against Brighton and Fulham.
Wilson Odobert scored just 15 minutes into his first league game for Burnley after a smart move into the Chelsea box.
There is still work to do, Pochettino is only too aware of this, and it is even more so for Vicent Kompany. Another tough afternoon, especially the way they fell back after half-time. So far, no promoted club has lost their first five top-flight matches in a season. The midweek win at Luton at least gave them some breathing space.
This was actually following a similar pattern to much of Chelsea’s season for some time. Bullet charges, lack of edge. Bow without the arrow. Enzo Fernandez generally ruled the proceedings but then refused to let up moments before the break as the hosts went their separate ways. They delivered an avoidable opener while still looking nice in midfield.
Thiago Silva did not bring down Lyle Foster on the edge of their box in the build-up to Wilson Odobert’s 15th minute when perhaps he should have done so. Foster’s run across the Chelsea box was dangerous.
Silva might have just taken the man and been able to do it without taking a booking. Foster continued, replaced Odobert and the 18-year-old struck Robert Sanchez’s far post.
Odobert’s full league debut was a significant encouragement for Kompany. He signed on the day of their first game in August so had to wait for a real opportunity and the £10million given to Troyes for the Frenchman appears to be a bargain. Moments of true collective optimism, however, were fleeting.
Chelsea had gone close before that, Sterling heading past James Trafford’s far post. Josh Cullen then threw himself past Fernandez to thwart the equalizer and Sterling almost put an effort through the goalkeeper’s legs.
Burnley looked relatively comfortable, but disaster struck three minutes before the break, Sterling beating Vitinho and the next cross hitting Ameen Al Dakhil’s thigh, flying over a helpless Trafford. Sighs and groans were audible as soon as Al Dakhil made contact.
Sterling beat Vitinho again shortly after the restart, the Brazilian swinging a leg just to the edge of the box. Stuart Attwell, who had previously irritated Pochettino, warned, gave it away.
James Trafford could do nothing to stop the cross which deflected off Ameen Al Dakhil and into the goal.
Cole Plamer scored his first goal for Chelsea since his £42.5million signing from Manchester City this summer
Nicolas Jackson helped himself to a well-deserved goal after further remarkable work from Raheem Sterling in the build-up
Vincent Kompany’s side have conceded the most goals in the division and sit 18th behind Luton on goal difference.
Palmer sent Trafford the wrong way to score his first goal since a £42.5 million move from Manchester City. And his first strike in the Premier League too. The decision to leave the triple winners is justified: more games, already winning.
Burnley had really fallen apart.
Kompany had knocked out Al Dakhil, with Dara O’Shea in his place, and they were without both first-choice center halves – with Jordan Beyer missing due to a knee injury. It showed.
The patterns of play disappeared and Chelsea gained confidence. Nicolas Jackson’s introduction provided more of a focal point, a clever move ending with a Fernandez side kick straight at Trafford, and they were clear just after the hour.
Sterling, although much of that is due to Moises Caicedo.
Not one but two big challenges just inside Burnley’s half – first on Aaron Ramsey, then Sander Berge – gave Chelsea a platform. Conor Gallagher elbowed Sterling, who rifled into the far corner in the same way Odobert had done.
Once the clock struck 74, hundreds of people poured onto the streets of east Lancashire. Once again, Burnley had capitulated. Again, Sterling with the dagger. He humiliated O’Shea on the touchline, right in front of Pochettino, rushing to cross for Palmer. The youngster crossed for Jackson, who marked his return by storming in.