There had been clear opportunities before Neto met a superb Jamie Gittens delivery with a diving header on 36 minutes, scoring his third goal in his last five starts in the process.

Neto came close to scoring a second when he struck the woodwork on the hour, while Burnley’s Martin Dubravka saved from sub Malo Gusto as we sought to put the game to bed.

Zian Flemming wasted the Clarets’ best chance and though they applied some late pressure, Enzo struck from close range with a couple of minutes remaining to seal a third straight victory in the league without conceding.

Team news

In his 50th Premier League game as our head coach, Enzo Maresca made four changes to the side that started against Wolves before the international break.

Reece James and Tosin Adarabioyo came in for Malo Gusto and Wesley Fofana in defence. With Moises Caicedo starting on the bench, Andrey Santos lined up in the middle of the park, while Gittens replaced Alejandro Garnacho on the left flank.

Balanced beginning

The Blues had defending to do in the opening quarter-of-an-hour. Trevoh Chalobah, Santos and Tosin all made important blocks as the Clarets threatened on the flanks through Jaidon Anthony and Loum Tchaouna. Santos in particular enjoyed an excellent first half mopping up.

We looked most dangerous in transition in the early stages. One fast break ended with Liam Delap shooting high and wide when a pass to either Neto or Gittens was on.

Both teams were working the ball into good areas but unable to apply the finishing touch. On one such occasion shortly after the half-hour mark, Delap turned excellently and freed Neto, whose teasing low centre was intercepted by Kyle Walker before Gittens could convert.

Neto nets again

However, those two would combine for the opening goal in the 37th minute. Marc Cucurella made a run from deep – spotted by Tosin – and the Spaniard then did well to get hold of the ball with two claret shirts at close quarters. Cucurella passed it to Gittens, who sent a teasing cross to the far post that Neto gleefully headed back across goal and into the net.

We held the lead until half-time, when Benoit Badiashile replaced Reece James. Chalobah shifted across to right-back.

A nice Chelsea counter involving Neto and Fernandez freed up space for Joao Pedro to have a crack from the edge of the box, but he picked out the Chelsea supporters behind Martin Dubravka’s goal rather testing the Slovakian keeper.

We remained on the front foot as the half wore on, seeking a second goal to try and put the game beyond Burnley’s reach.

Close to number two

Cucurella and Gittens had efforts deflected behind and Neto fired a shot against the base of the post, Dubravka getting a vital touch to stop the Portuguese bagging his second.

Midway through the half, Gusto came on for Delap and moved into an advanced attacking midfield position, with Joao Pedro now leading the line.

Burnley’s best chance of the game yet fell Zian Flemming’s way with 20 minutes remaining after Badiashile got caught under a high ball. Thankfully the striker scooped his effort well over.

Enzo settles it

Gusto pounced on a loose ball in midfield and exchanged passes with Neto before going for goal, Dubravka shovelling the Frenchman’s effort over.

A Burnley corner caused some angst in our box with Badiashile booked for jostling, and just when it looked like we could be in for a nervy ending, Fernandez settled the contest.

The goal stemmed from a Sanchez pass out from the back. Neto did expertly to dart between two Burnley players before slipping the ball into the channel for sub Marc Guiu to run on to. He showed speed and strength to get away from Axel Tuanzebe and then awareness to cut the ball back for the onrushing Fernandez, who evaded a pair of claret shirts with his shot.

The points were ours!

What it means…

Our third consecutive away win in the league without conceding moves us up to second in the table before the rest of this weekend’s Premier League slate.

What’s next…

A big week at the Bridge. We host Barcelona on Tuesday evening before league leaders Arsenal come to SW6 on Sunday.

The teams

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James (c) (Badiashile h/t), Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella; Andrey Santos, Fernandez (c); Pedro Neto, Joao Pedro (Guiu 76), Gittens; Delap (Gusto 67)
Unused subs Jorgensen, Acheampong, Hato, Caicedo, Estevao, Garnacho
Scorers Pedro Neto 37, Enzo Fernandez 88
Booked Pedro Neto 41, Joao Pedro 69, Maresca 78, Badiashile 81

Burnley (4-2-3-1): Dubravka; Walker, Tuanzebe, Esteve, Hartman; Florentino, Cullen; Tchaouna (Bruun Larsen 76), Ugochukwu (Hannibal 72), Anthony (Foster 72); Flemming (Broja 72)
Unused subs Weiss, Edwards, Ekdal, Pires, Laurent
Booked Walker 49

Referee Peter Bankes
Crowd 21,499