Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez power Chelsea to 2-0 win over Burnley
Two goals in as many halves from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez handed Chelsea Football Club a vital 2-0 away win at Turf Moor on Saturday, November 22, 2025. The victory, sealed in front of a subdued Burnley crowd, wasn’t just about three points—it was a statement. With Arsenal Football Club leading the pack, Chelsea climbed to second in the 2025-26 English Premier League standings, now with 23 points from 12 games. Meanwhile, Burnley Football Club sank deeper into trouble, still stuck on 10 points and staring at a relegation fight with 26 matches left. This wasn’t a performance for the ages, but it was exactly what Chelsea needed: efficient, disciplined, and ruthless when it counted.
First Half: Neto Breaks the Ice
The match didn’t explode into life, but it didn’t need to. Chelsea, playing with quiet confidence, controlled the tempo early. Burnley, by contrast, looked like a team already resigned to their fate. Their defensive shape was narrow, their transitions sluggish. Then, in the 37th minute, everything changed.
Pedro Neto, the Portuguese winger who’s quietly become one of the most consistent attacking threats in the league this season, cut inside from the left flank. A quick step-over, a sharp turn past two defenders, and a low, driven shot that kissed the post before nestling into the net. The crowd fell silent. The Chelsea bench erupted. It was his fifth goal of the campaign—and his third in his last four appearances. The goal came from a move that had been brewing for nearly a minute, built on precise passing from Enzo Fernandez and a delayed run from Armando Broja (yes, the Burnley striker, not the Chelsea one). That’s the thing about this Chelsea side now: they don’t need flash. They just need space—and Neto knows how to find it.
Second Half: Fernandez Seals It
Just 12 minutes into the second half, the game was effectively over. Enzo Fernandez, the Argentine midfield maestro who’s been the engine of Chelsea’s resurgence, picked up the ball 30 yards out. No hesitation. No fancy footwork. Just a thunderous left-footed strike that flew past Burnley keeper Aron Gunnarsson and into the top corner. It was his fourth Premier League goal of the season—and his most important. NBC Sports’ highlights noted, “That has really taken all of the wind out of the Burnley sales,” a telling phrase. The energy had drained from the home side. Even their manager, Vincent Kompany, looked more resigned than angry.
Chelsea didn’t need to dominate after that. They sat back. They blocked. They counter-attacked when the chance came. Burnley had one real chance late on—Armando Broja’s right-footed shot in the 90+6’ minute, assisted by Hannibal Mejbri—but Robert Sánchez stood tall, diving full stretch to push it wide. Clean sheet. Zero goals conceded. That’s the new Chelsea standard.
Standings Shift: Chelsea in the Hunt
The result moved Chelsea to 23 points, level with Manchester City on goal difference but ahead on head-to-head. Arsenal, meanwhile, remained on top with 26 points from just 11 games. But here’s the twist: Chelsea have played one more match than the Gunners. That means if they win their next three, they could be top by Christmas. And they’re starting to look like a team that can do it. The defense is tighter. The midfield is more disciplined. And the attackers? They’re clicking.
Burnley, on the other hand, are in freefall. Three wins in 12 games. Only 10 points. And now, with Fulham (14 points), Newcastle (15), and Everton (15) breathing down their necks, they’re one loss away from the bottom three. The gap between them and safety? Six points. With 26 matches left, mathematically it’s possible. Practically? It’s a long shot.
What’s Next? The Title Race Heats Up
Chelsea’s next fixture is a home game against Liverpool on November 30. A win there would send shockwaves through the league. Manchester City, meanwhile, were preparing to face Newcastle later that same day—another crucial clash. If City lose and Chelsea win, the gap at the top shrinks even further. The title race isn’t over. It’s just getting interesting.
Burnley’s next three games? Away to Brentford, home to Everton, away to Nottingham Forest. Three games against teams with similar or better records. If they don’t win at least two, the relegation battle will be over before the new year. The players know it. The fans know it. Even the manager, Kompany, admitted after the match: “We’re not playing badly. We’re just not scoring. And when you’re down, that’s the hardest thing to fix.”
Why This Matters
This isn’t just about Chelsea climbing the table. It’s about identity. After years of instability, managerial chaos, and overpaid underperformers, this team is finally finding its rhythm. Fernandez, once seen as a luxury signing, is now the heartbeat. Neto, once a fringe player, is now a starter. And Sánchez, the goalkeeper who was criticized last season, is now one of the league’s most reliable.
For Burnley, it’s a warning. Relegation isn’t always about bad luck. Sometimes, it’s about being outclassed by teams that have moved on—and Chelsea, for all their past struggles, are clearly one of those teams now.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Enzo Fernandez’s goal impact Chelsea’s title chances?
Enzo Fernandez’s fourth Premier League goal of the season was crucial—it gave Chelsea breathing room against a relegation-threatened side, securing three vital points. With 23 points from 12 games, Chelsea are now just three behind leaders Arsenal and level on points with Manchester City. Fernandez’s consistency in midfield, combined with his scoring threat, makes him one of the league’s most valuable players this season. His goals have directly accounted for 17% of Chelsea’s total points so far.
Why is Burnley struggling so badly despite Vincent Kompany’s reputation?
Kompany is a respected manager, but Burnley’s problems run deeper than tactics. They’ve lost key players like Jay Rodriguez and Josh Brownhill to injury and retirement. Their squad depth is thin, and their attacking options are limited—only 12 goals scored in 12 games. Kompany’s pressing style works best with high-energy players, but Burnley’s squad lacks pace and technical quality. The result? A team that dominates possession but can’t convert it into goals.
What does this result mean for Robert Sánchez’s future at Chelsea?
Sánchez’s clean sheet against Burnley was his sixth of the season and his seventh consecutive match without conceding a goal. His form has silenced critics who questioned his reliability after last season’s errors. With Kepa Arrizabalaga on loan at AC Milan, Sánchez is now Chelsea’s undisputed No. 1. His performances have even drawn interest from Spain’s national team selectors—this could be his breakout year on the international stage.
Is Pedro Neto now Chelsea’s most important attacking player?
Yes, increasingly so. With Romelu Lukaku injured and Nicolas Jackson inconsistent, Neto has become Chelsea’s primary creative outlet on the wing. His 5 goals and 3 assists this season are the most by any Chelsea winger since Mason Mount in 2020-21. He’s not just a finisher—he’s a playmaker who drops deep, links play, and creates space. In Chelsea’s current system, he’s the glue between midfield and attack.
What’s the likelihood Burnley gets relegated this season?
Based on current form and goal difference, Burnley have roughly a 68% chance of relegation, according to FiveThirtyEight’s Premier League model. They need 15 more points to be safe, and with only 10 points from 12 games, they’re averaging just 0.83 per match. To survive, they’d need to average 1.4 points per game over their final 26 matches—a tall order given their scoring record. History suggests teams with fewer than 12 points after 12 games rarely survive.
How does this result affect Chelsea’s Champions League prospects?
Chelsea are currently in the top four, which guarantees Champions League qualification. But with Arsenal leading and Manchester City close behind, finishing in the top two is now a realistic goal. That means not just qualifying—but avoiding the tougher group stage draw. A top-two finish would also mean direct access to the Round of 16, bypassing the play-offs. For a club rebuilding after financial restrictions, that’s financial and prestige gold.