Chants for Reece James were among the more palatable from the travelling Chelsea fans as the wingback sent out an emphatic reminder of what Thomas Tuchel has been missing.
In his first start since December 29, the England international scored one spectacular individual goal and played a part in two more.
“He’s one of our own” sang the away end after James left Dwight McNeil with twisted blood and drilled a shot past Nick Pope.
Before kick off, some had chanted Roman Abramovich’s name during a minute’s applause to show support for Ukraine following Russia’s invasion.
It was in bad taste and earned jeers from the majority of Turf Moor.
Their recognition of James was more fitting. He was brilliant.
At his best he is virtually unplayable – blessed with wonderful balance, fast feet, frightening speed and power.
His goal was a stunning piece of individual skill that proves why he is so pivotal Tuchel’s system, which relies on inspiration from out wide in the absence of a No10.
James and Ben Chilwell were key to any title challenge this season. So, to lose one was always going to be damaging. To lose both, devastating.
And that is how it proved after Chelsea relinquished a once-six-point lead at the top of the Premier League to end up watching Manchester City and Liverpool turn it into a two-horse title race.
Could they have kept pace with James involved after Chilwell’s knee ligament damage? It is debatable – but from the moment he limped out of their 1-1 draw with Brighton in their final game of 2021, Tuchel knew he was in trouble.
The German wanted to bring in immediate cover in the January window, so serious was James’ hamstring injury.
None could be found and Chelsea paid the price.
A 4-0 win against Burnley that still leaves them 13 points behind City, albeit with a game in hand, shows the gap that still exists. But the influence James could have had on a wretched January that saw them take just four points from a possible 12 cannot be understated.
He is that important to them – and probably England, too.
Tuchel is also benefiting for a forward line that shows more fluidity with Kai Havertz flanked by Christian Pulisic and Mason Mount.
Havertz struck twice in the second half after struggling to make an impression in the first 45 minutes.
Pulisic, meanwhile, shook off the shackles of Burnley’s close attention to score one and make one as Chelsea turned on the class after the break.
They could have been at least two down in a first half in which Burnley pressed well and created clear-cut chances.
Sean Dyche’s relegation-threatened team could have gone ahead after 17 minutes when Wout Weghorst directed Aaron Lennon’s cross goal-wards through a congested box.
Edouard Mendy was rooted, but Thiago Silva was in the right place at the right time to clear off the line.
McNeil then missed a great opportunity to open the scoring when firing over from close range.
Ashley Westwood’s lofted cross looked easy enough for Mendy to deal with – but the Chelsea goalkeeper miscued his punch under pressure from Weghorst.
The ball dropped to McNeill six yards out – but with an open net in front of him, he could not keep his shot down.
Chelsea provided little in the way of chances themselves, but that all changed after half-time.
It started with James’ moment of magic two minutes after the restart.
Picking up the ball on the right of the box with McNeil in his way, he went outside, then inside and out again, before firing low into the far corner.
Six minutes later and Havertz double their lead.
James was involved again, feeding Pulisic, whose floated cross found Havertz’s run to the far post.
The German headed home.
He got his second when sliding in to meet a low James cross on 55 minutes.
Pulisc then completed the scoring in the 69th minute – cashing in on an error inside the Burnley box to fire from close range.
The home fans immediately made a dash for the exit. They had seen enough.
Chelsea, meanwhile, will hope to see much more of what James can do for their trophy hopes between now and the end of the season.
