(Football news) For the first time since the West Londoners’ 4-1 thumping of the Clarets at Turf Moor in October of last year, the two teams will compete. Chelsea defeated Championship team Leicester City 4-2 to go to the FA Cup semi-finals, bolstering their chances of winning their first trophy under Mauricio Pochettino before the international break hit.
The Foxes mounted a late comeback, but it was ultimately in vain as stoppage-time goals from substitutes Carney Chukwuemeka and Noni Madueke guaranteed Chelsea’s passage to Wembley and a matchup with holders Manchester City the following month. The Blues had conceded two goals early on and appeared headed for extra time.
Chelsea’s focus now shifts to the Premier League, with Pochettino and co determined to end the season on a high by climbing into the European positions. With 11 games remaining, the Blues currently sit 11th in the table and five points behind West Ham United in seventh, while they are eight points adrift of sixth-placed Manchester United, who they face on home soil next Thursday.
Excluding their extra-time defeat to Liverpool in the EFL Cup final, Chelsea have found a way to grind out positive results in recent weeks, winning five games and drawing another two across all competitions since February 7.
In the Premier League, Chelsea have scored in each of their last 11 matches, with only Luton Town (17) and Man City (13) currently enjoying longer scoring streak. The Blues have also excelled in front of goal against Saturday’s opponent Burnley, as they have netted at least once in their 17 top-flight meetings with the Clarets – their best such record in the division.
Burnley faces an automatic drop back to the Championship, although they did manage to pull off a remarkable escape when they defeated Brentford 2-1 at Turf Moor prior to the international break. It was only their fourth top-flight victory of the season.
The dismissal of Sergio Reguilon in the eighth minute, for a foul on Vitinho that allowed Jacob Bruun Larsen to convert the opening penalty, was helpful to the Clarets’ cause. Just after the hour, David Datro Fofana added another goal, and six minutes from time, Kristoffer Ajer scored what turned out to be simply a consolation goal for the Bees.
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