The Warm Down : Tuchel showcases his expertise as new formation squeezes Burnley into submission

The Blues beat Burnley 2-0 at Stamford Bridge

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 31: Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea celebrates after scoring their side's first goal past Nick Pope of Burnley during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Burnley at Stamford Bridge on January 31, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Andrew Couldridge - Pool/Getty Images)

By Alex Burton31 January 2021 23:29 BST

Chelsea put on a clinical performance as they ran out 2-0 winners at home against Burnley, ending a run of three Premier League home games without a win.

Thomas Tuchel experimented with a new lineup, opting for an unorthodox 3-4-2-1, a formation that hadn't been used at Stamford Bridge since the rise & fall of Antonio Conte.

The boss selected Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso as full-backs over Reece James and Ben Chilwell, which paid off as both starters scored a goal for the Blues.

The West London side kept a second consecutive clean sheet against Burnley as the Clarets were unable to make a single attempt on Edouard Mendy's goal.

New formation made for flowing attacks

Chelsea started the game well, unfazed by an in-form Burnley, who had beaten both Liverpool and Aston Villa in the last 7 days.

After some contested possession in the first 15 minutes, the visitors sat a lot deeper, inviting the Blues into their half.

Unbeknownst to Sean Dyche, dropping deep saw his side play straight into Tuchel's hands. The hosts spent the majority of the first half lurking on the edge of their opposition penalty area and in the 40th minute captain Azpilicueta smashed home Callum Hudson Odoi's lay off to make it 1-0. A sigh of relief for Chelsea fans.

The performance made it clear that Tuchel knew what he wanted from his players. They came out for the second half poised in the same way they were for the first.

The full-backs continued to squeeze Burnley's 11 tight into their final quarter, creating bags of space on the flanks. Alonso sealed the victory late on, as he wandered into the box and scored a fantastic volley.

This new formation seems to be the way forward under Tuchel, especially if the players see out the game like they did today, something that was a rarity under the final months of Lampard's time in charge.

Repeated defensive solidarity

Thiago Silva was described by fans on Twitter at the final whistle as a "Rolls Royce" defender, seen constantly in the right place at the right time for the Blues and stifling any signs of a Burnley attack.

After today's game, Tuchel becomes the first Chelsea manager to keep a clean sheet in each of his first two Premier League games in charge since Rafa Benitez in 2012.

Chelsea were positively disciplined today, picking up zero bookings, something they hadn't managed before this season.

Antonio Rudiger also looked increasingly comfortable as he started his third consecutive game this season. He was able to press higher up the field as Chelsea built in possession, and he even managed a shot on goal.

The Blues will look to use their promising new style to their advantage on Thursday, as they take on Jose Mourinho's Spurs away from home.