Chelsea 2-0 Burnley: Fernández Strike Seals Blues' Rise to Second in Premier League
Nov, 23 2025
Chelsea moved into second place in the Premier League after a cold, clinical 2-0 win over Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday, November 22, 2025. It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t dominant. But it was enough. And in this league, that’s often all you need. With Chelsea now at 23 points from 12 games, they’ve leapfrogged Manchester City — who play Newcastle next — and left Burnley dangling just above the relegation zone, their fate hanging by a thread.
Goals from Neto and Fernández Seal the Deal
The breakthrough came in the 37th minute, when Pedro Neto pounced on a cutback from Jamie Gittens, slotting it low past Burnley’s goalkeeper. No fanfare. No celebration. Just a quiet, efficient finish — the kind that wins titles. The goal was Chelsea’s first shot on target of the match. Burnley, meanwhile, had already fired five shots, but only two found the frame. The rest? Blocked, wide, or saved.
For 50 minutes, it felt like Burnley might claw their way back. They pressed high. They fouled relentlessly — 13 in total. Three yellow cards fluttered into the referee’s notebook. But they couldn’t find the net. And then, in the 88th minute, it was over.
Enzo Fernández, who’d been a quiet presence for much of the game, picked up a loose ball just outside the box. A quick turn. A stutter step. Then, a left-footed curler that kissed the post before nestling into the net. Marc Guiu had just come on five minutes earlier — his first touch was the assist. It was Fernández’s fourth Premier League goal of the season. And it wasn’t just a goal. It was a dagger.
"It’s not been pretty at times for Enzo Maresca’s side," NBC Sports noted in their highlights, "but they found a way." And that’s the story of Chelsea this season. Not flair. Not fireworks. Just grit, timing, and a knack for snatching wins when it matters.
Substitutions, Tactics, and a Coach’s Frustration
Chelsea’s manager, Enzo Maresca, made seven changes by the 84th minute — a sign of both fatigue and tactical reshuffling. Benoît Badiashile replaced Reece James at halftime. Armando Broja and Zane Flemming came on in the 72nd minute. Even Fernández himself was subbed on in the 88th minute — not to play, but to score. The substitution pattern looked chaotic. But it worked.
On the other side, Burnley’s Jaidon Anthony, their top scorer with four goals this season, was replaced in the 69th minute — a sign their manager had given up on breaking through. His replacement, Joao Pedro, couldn’t spark anything. Burnley’s last hope died with Fernández’s goal.
And then there was Maresca. Sofascore logged an ‘Argument’ in his timeline — a brief, heated exchange with the fourth official after a controversial offside call. No red cards. No drama. Just the quiet fury of a coach who knows his team shouldn’t have had to fight so hard for three points.
Relegation Realities for Burnley
Burnley are now 19th — one place above Wolverhampton Wanderers, who have just two points after 12 games. Their form? L-L-L-W-W in their last five. That’s not a trend. That’s a tumble. They’ve scored just 10 goals in 12 matches. Their defense has conceded 20. And their home record? Three wins, one draw, five losses at Turf Moor.
"They could well find themselves in the bottom three come the end of today," NBC’s commentary warned. And they were right. With only 10 points, Burnley are now mathematically closer to relegation than they are to safety. The gap to 17th place is four points. With six games left before the winter break, every match feels like a final.
Chelsea’s Quiet Title Push
Meanwhile, Chelsea are second — just three points behind Arsenal, who lead with 26 points. Manchester City sit third with 22. The gap between second and fifth? Just four points. This isn’t a runaway. It’s a dogfight. And Chelsea are in it.
They’ve won seven games. Lost three. Drawn two. Goal difference: +12. Not the flashiest stats. But consistent. Efficient. And crucially, they’ve won their last three away games — including this one at Turf Moor, where they hadn’t won since 2019.
"They found a way," the pundits said. But here’s the thing: they’ve been finding a way all season. No Neymar. No Haaland. No 30-goal striker. Just depth, discipline, and a manager who knows how to win ugly.
What’s Next?
Chelsea face Tottenham at Stamford Bridge next Saturday. Burnley travel to Crystal Palace — a team they’ve beaten twice in the last three seasons. But that was then. This is now. And now, Burnley don’t just need a win. They need a miracle.
For Chelsea? They need to keep winning. Even if it’s ugly. Even if it’s slow. Even if it’s 2-0 at Turf Moor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Enzo Fernández’s performance impact Chelsea’s title chances?
Enzo Fernández’s fourth Premier League goal of the season — a decisive strike in the 88th minute against Burnley — underscores his growing importance as Chelsea’s midfield engine. With only 23 points from 12 matches, Chelsea can’t afford to rely on flash. Fernández’s ability to score from midfield, combined with his defensive work rate, gives them balance. His four goals are tied for most among Premier League midfielders this season, making him a quiet but vital piece in their title challenge.
Why is Burnley struggling so badly despite having a similar points total to last season?
Burnley’s 10 points through 12 matches are actually two more than they had at this stage last season, but their goal difference is far worse: -10 compared to -6 in 2024/25. They’ve scored just 10 goals — the second-lowest in the league — and conceded 20. Their attack lacks creativity, and their defense collapses under pressure. Unlike last year, they’ve lost key players like Jay Rodriguez and Matt Lowton, and their replacements haven’t filled the gaps.
What does Chelsea’s substitution pattern reveal about Enzo Maresca’s strategy?
Maresca’s seven substitutions — including bringing on Fernández in the 88th minute — show he prioritizes game management over aesthetics. He’s willing to sacrifice possession for structure. He rotates heavily to preserve energy, especially in away games. This isn’t a team built for dominance. It’s built for survival — and winning by the narrowest margins. The fact they’ve won three straight away games proves it’s working.
How significant is Chelsea’s away form this season?
Chelsea’s away record is their secret weapon. They’ve won three straight away games, including this 2-0 win at Turf Moor — their first victory there since 2019. Their away points total (14) is the highest in the top six, and they’ve conceded just three goals on the road. In a league where home advantage still matters, this consistency gives them a real shot at the title, even if their home form is shaky.
Could Burnley still avoid relegation?
Mathematically, yes — but realistically, it’s a long shot. With 10 points and a -10 goal difference, they need to win at least five of their remaining 10 matches and hope for major collapses from teams above them. Their next three fixtures are against Crystal Palace, Brighton, and Everton — all teams fighting to stay clear of the drop. Without a major turnaround in attack, their chances are slim.
How does this result affect the Premier League title race?
Chelsea’s win pushed them to within three points of Arsenal and above Manchester City, who play next. With only five points separating first from fifth, the title race is wide open. But Chelsea’s ability to grind out wins — especially away from home — makes them dangerous. They don’t need to dominate. They just need to win. And right now, they’re better at that than anyone else in the top six.