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Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso showed up Chelsea\u2019s misfiring attacking cordon as the Blues defenders netted fine strikes in a 2-0 win over Burnley to secure Thomas Tuchel\u2019s first win in charge.<\/p>\nCesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso showed up Chelsea\u2019s misfiring attacking cordon as the Blues defenders netted fine strikes in a 2-0 win over Burnley to secure Thomas Tuchel\u2019s first win in charge.<\/p>\n
Azpilicueta\u2019s first goal in a year had the profligate Blues in charge at the break, before Alonso toasted his first Chelsea appearance since September with a smart finish at the death.<\/p>\n
The Blues moved up to seventh in the table courtesy of just a third win in 10 league matches, with Tuchel tasked to launch another new era after Frank Lampard\u2019s sacking.<\/p>\n
Azpilicueta\u2019s first goal since the 2-2 draw with Arsenal in January 2020 lit up the end of a drab first-half to ease Chelsea\u2019s prior struggles in finding the net.<\/p>\n
But while the Stamford Bridge hosts got off the ground under their sparky new German boss, their \u00a353million Germany striker Timo Werner\u2019s malaise continued.<\/p>\n
Werner\u2019s crisis of confidence remains an unwanted fixture, with the 24-year-old\u2019s barren streak extending to just one goal in 17 appearances in all competitions.<\/p>\n
Former Paris St Germain boss Tuchel aimed to lift Werner\u2019s mood and goal drought by building the tactical blueprint around him.<\/p>\n
The RB Leipzig summer recruit was to lurk just off the left wing in between the lines of a number 10 and number nine.<\/p>\n
But just 45 minutes into that custom-built role, Tuchel changed tack.<\/p>\n
For the second-half Werner was to play right through the middle, with Tammy Abraham withdrawn as the fall-guy as Chelsea tried everything and then some to rebuild Werner\u2019s shattered confidence.<\/p>\n
Azpilicueta and Alonso came to the rescue, with Chelsea full value for the win but with plenty of work ahead for new man Tuchel.<\/p>\n
Just as in the goalless draw against Wolves on Wednesday, Chelsea dominated territory and possession.<\/p>\n
Despite tentative improvements though Chelsea still struggled for real bite, with Werner\u2019s hat-trick of scuffed efforts punctuating a poor first-half for the Germany star.<\/p>\n
The 24-year-old had to score from Hudson-Odoi\u2019s drilled cross, but his miscue saw the opening evaporate on the bitter west London wind.<\/p>\n
Just when Chelsea feared another shut-out of a half, up popped captain Azpilicueta to break the deadlock.<\/p>\n
Mount fed Hudson-Odoi cutting off the right flank and the young England star\u2019s cute reverse pass begged for someone to stride on to and lash a shot on goal.<\/p>\n
So Azpilicueta did exactly that, leaving Nick Pope no chance and sparking relief and celebration in equal measure for Chelsea and new boss Tuchel.<\/p>\n
Having detailed at length in previewing this match the plan to deploy Werner as a hybrid second striker-number 10 on the inside left, that was seemingly abandoned at half-time as Christian Pulisic was brought on.<\/p>\n
Abraham was hooked in a harsh move clearly designed to try to force Werner out of his funk, moving the \u00a353million man into the central striking role.<\/p>\n
Hudson-Odoi clipped in a fine first-time cross, only for Werner to head tamely at Pope when he should have scored.<\/p>\n
The again-excellent Hudson-Odoi was unlucky to see his deflected effort rebound off the post in a rapid Chelsea break.<\/p>\n
But surprise selection Alonso sealed the win in the closing stages, chesting down and blasting home a volley as pleasing on the eye as it would have been nerve-steadying for new head coach Tuchel.<\/p>\n