Raheem Sterling took the lead in Chelsea’s commanding 4-1 victory over Burnley on Saturday afternoon, playing a pivotal role in Mauricio Pochettino’s squad.
Pochettino made a single change from the team that had played at Craven Cottage the previous weekend, bringing in Sterling in place of Mykhailo Mudryk, a decision that would prove to be an inspired one.
Raheem Sterling shone as Chelsea’s standout player, playing a part in all four goals while also notching his third goal of the season.
The performance at Turf Moor helped Chelsea secure consecutive league wins for the first time since October last year.
Despite Chelsea entering the match on the back of five consecutive victories against Burnley, the lineup had seen significant changes, with only Thiago Silva remaining from the starting eleven the last time these teams faced off in March of the previous year.
Chelsea dominated the opening half-hour of the game, but it was Lyle Foster who broke through, providing an assist to Wilson Odobert, who unexpectedly gave Burnley the lead against the run of play after just fifteen minutes.
In the 42nd minute, Ameen Dl-Dakhil deflected the ball into his own net following a charged onslaught by Sterling, who subsequently earned a penalty. This penalty was confidently converted by Cole Palmer in the 50th minute, putting Chelsea ahead 2-1.
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During the second half, the visitors continued to dominate, and Raheem Sterling received his well-deserved reward after Conor Gallagher delivered a through ball that he calmly finished, solidifying his position as Chelsea’s leading goal scorer this season with three goals.
Chelsea’s upcoming schedule features seven league matches against teams that finished in the top half of the table last season.
As the match progressed, Burnley posed minimal threat, and Sterling put the finishing touches on an outstanding afternoon, leaving Dara O’Shea in his wake before assisting Palmer, who set up Nicolas Jackson for Chelsea’s fourth goal of the afternoon.