Chelsea Beat Burnley 2-0 to Close Gap on Arsenal Amid Cole Palmer Injury

On a chilly Saturday afternoon at Turf Moor, Chelsea Football Club delivered a clinical 2-0 win over Burnley Football Club, moving within three points of league leaders Arsenal Football Club. The match, played at 12:30pm GMT on November 22, 2025, wasn’t just another win—it was a statement. With Chelsea now sitting second in the Premier League table with 27 points, the pressure is mounting on top-side Arsenal ahead of their Sunday clash with Tottenham. And yet, the story wasn’t just about the three points. It was about what’s missing—and what’s still possible.

Goals From Neto and Fernandez Seal the Deal

It was Pedro Neto, the 24-year-old Portuguese winger, who broke the deadlock just before halftime. Stooping low to meet a curled cross from Jamie Gittens, he guided the ball past Burnley keeper Arijanet Muric with the kind of composure you’d expect from a player who’s been on fire this season. The goal was his fifth in the league this campaign, and it silenced the home crowd that had been buzzing after Burnley’s early chances.

The second came late, in the 88th minute, when Enzo Fernandez, wearing the captain’s armband in the absence of the injured Reece James, latched onto a loose ball after a Burnley clearance went awry. He didn’t hesitate—left foot, low, hard, into the bottom corner. His fourth Premier League goal of the season, and it was the kind that kills games. The final whistle sparked a rare, unscripted celebration from Chelsea’s bench. Three wins in a row. Three points closer to the summit.

The Palmer Problem: A Fractured Toe, Not a Fractured Season

But here’s the twist: the biggest talking point wasn’t on the pitch—it was in the dressing room. Cole Palmer, the 22-year-old attacking midfielder who’s been Chelsea’s most consistent creative force this season, is out. Not through a tackle, not through overwork. Not even through a training mishap. He fractured a toe… stumbling at home.

Manager Enzo Maresca didn’t mince words. "It’s fractured," he said pre-match. "The only thing we know is that he’s not available for this week, next week. It can happen. I wake up many times during the night to go to the toilet, and I hit my head, my leg, my everything, so it can happen."

He added, with a wry smile, "The last time I saw him was yesterday morning and he was without socks, without flip-flops. He was limping, not too much, he was walking OK. The problem is that it’s a small toe, so the contact with the boots can be a bit painful."

It’s absurd, yes. But it’s also human. Palmer had been returning from a groin issue, looking sharp in training, and was just days away from a full return. Now? He’s sidelined indefinitely. The club hasn’t specified a timeline, but with the next fixture against Arsenal looming, his absence could stretch beyond a month.

Burnley’s Descent and Parker’s Curse

For Burnley, the loss was more than just another defeat. It was confirmation of a deeper malaise. Sitting in 17th place with 14 points, they’re now winless in three of their last five home games. And their manager, Scott Parker, is staring down a statistical nightmare: in 42 Premier League matches as manager of Fulham, Bournemouth, and now Burnley, he has never come back from behind to win. That’s 38 losses, 4 draws, and zero comebacks. The most in league history.

At Turf Moor, the historic 21,944-capacity ground that’s been their home since 1883, the atmosphere used to be a fortress. Now, it’s a pressure cooker. Burnley’s only home wins this season came against mid-table sides. They’ve lost to Liverpool and Arsenal—and now Chelsea. The fans are restless. The board is watching. And Parker’s future? It’s becoming harder to defend.

The Arsenal Clock Is Ticking

Chelsea’s next test? A home clash against Arsenal Football Club at Stamford Bridge on November 30, 2025. A win there doesn’t just close the gap—it could flip the script on the entire title race. Arsenal have played one fewer game (11 vs. Chelsea’s 12), but they’re still the team everyone’s watching. If Chelsea win, they’ll be level on points. If they draw? The pressure shifts. If they lose? The gap widens again.

Meanwhile, Chelsea’s form since the international break has been electric: 3 wins, 0 losses, 6 goals scored, 0 conceded. That’s not luck. That’s momentum. And with Enzo Fernandez stepping up as captain, and Pedro Neto terrorizing defenses, the squad’s depth is being tested—and proving up to the task.

What’s Next?

For Chelsea, the next 10 days will define their season. Can they keep the clean sheets? Can they adapt without Palmer? And most crucially—can they beat Arsenal without him? The answer will come in front of 40,000 screaming fans at Stamford Bridge. For Burnley, it’s survival mode. One point from their next two matches—against Everton and Nottingham Forest—might be enough to avoid the drop. But with Parker’s record and their crumbling home form, confidence is in short supply.