Burnley 1-4 Chelsea: Raheem Sterling stars as Blues hit four in a comeback victory to record back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time this season

• The victory ensured Chelsea secured back-to-back wins in the Premier League for the first time since March 

Just a little reminder for Gareth Southgate, if one were needed. Even now, after all these years, there are only a select few English players capable of winning matches all on their own.

Granted, he doesn’t do it quite as often as he used to. And the England manager fancies having a look at Jarrod Bowen over the next fortnight, with a few other decent options too.

But he’s still here, Raheem Sterling, still doing things that must make Southgate think there is a way of utilising somebody who seems to be reviving themselves under Maurico Pochettino. If not this month, maybe next. If not next then maybe not at all.

The elder statesman now but you wonder whether Chelsea might have found this a little trickier without his major contributions for all four goals. One for himself, big moments for the other three, upstaging the impressive Cole Palmer, who had his first Chelsea goal from a penalty that Sterling won.

Progress. Consecutive victories for the first time since March; consecutive away victories for the first time for a year.

Raheem Sterling was involved in all four Chelsea goals as the Blues recovered from an early setback to win at Turf Moor

Mauricio Pochettino’s side have now won three games in a row in all compeitions after wins against Brighton and Fulham

Wilson Odobert scored just 15 minutes into his full league debut for Burnley after smart movement in the Chelsea box

There remains work to be done, Pochettino is only too aware, and it is even more for Vicent Kompany. Another chastening afternoon, particularly the way in which they folded after half time. No promoted club has ever lost their opening five top-flight games in a season until now. The midweek win at Luton has at least given them some breathing space.

This had actually been following a similar pattern to much of Chelsea’s season for a while. Loads of the ball, lacking in cutting edge. Bow without the arrow. Enzo Fernandez generally ran proceedings but then refused to let fly moments before the break as the hosts parted. They gave away an avoidable opener while looking nice through midfield.

Thiago Silva did not bring Lyle Foster down on the edge of their box in the build-up to Wilson Odobert’s 15th-minute when maybe he ought to have done. Foster’s run across Chelsea’s area was dangerous.

Silva might have just taken the man and could have done so without picking up a booking. Foster continued, laid on for Odobert and the 18-year-old struck inside Robert Sanchez’s far post.

Odobert’s full league debut offered significant encouragement for Kompany. He signed on the day of their first game back in August so has had to wait for a real opportunity and the £10million given to Troyes for the Frenchman appears good business. The moments of true collective optimism were fleeting, however.

Chelsea had gone close before that, Sterling whizzing past James Trafford’s far post. Josh Cullen later threw himself in front of Fernandez to thwart an equaliser and Sterling almost squeezed an effort through the goalkeeper’s legs.

Burnley seemed relatively comfortable but disaster struck three minutes before the break, Sterling beating Vitinho and the subsequent cross striking Ameen Al Dakhil’s thigh, looping over a helpless Trafford. The sighs and groans were audible as soon as Al Dakhil made contact.

Sterling was beating Vitinho again shortly after the restart, the Brazilian dangling a leg right on the edge of the box. Stuart Attwell, who had earlier incensed the cautioned Pochettino, gave it. 

James Trafford could do nothing to stop the cross which had deflected off Ameen Al Dakhil finding its was into the goal

Cole Plamer grabbed his first goal for Chelsea since completing a £42.5m signing from Manchester City in the summer

Nicolas Jackson helped himself to a much-needed goal after more outstanding work from Raheem Sterling in the build-up

Palmer sent Trafford the wrong way to register his first goal since a £42.5million move from Manchester City. And his first Premier League strike too. The decision to leave the Treble winners is being vindicated: more games, already imposing himself.

Burnley had gone to pieces, really. Kompany had taken Al Dakhil off, with Dara O’Shea on in his place, and they were without both first-choice centre halves – Jordan Beyer missing with a knee injury. It showed.

The patterns of play disappeared and Chelsea grew in further confidence. Nicolas Jackson’s introduction offered more of a focal point, a smart move ending with Fernandez side-footing straight at Trafford, and they were well clear just after the hour.

Sterling, although much of it owed to Moises Caicedo. Not one but two big challenges just inside the Burnley half – first on Aaron Ramsey, then Sander Berge – gave Chelsea a platform. Conor Gallagher nudged out to Sterling, who rifled into the far corner in much the same way as Odobert had done.

Once the clock ticked 74, hundreds were streaming out onto the streets of east Lancashire. Again, Burnley had capitulated. Again, Sterling with the dagger. He humiliated O’Shea on the touchline, right in front of Pochettino, racing clear to cross for Palmer. The youngster centred for Jackson, who marked his return by thundering in.

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