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The Chelsea line-up was intimidating - Cech, Carvalho, Terry, Cole, Deco, Lampard, Drogba and the rest, with a mighty bench...we had Bikey and Robbie Blake though.
The travelling Clarets, including lots of youngsters, were in good voice as referee Mark Clattenburg commenced action at slightly after quarter to one in bright sunshine with pretty much a full house. This was the sort of away game many of us have waited more than three decades for - what were we going to take from it, noting that Chelsea had lost only two of their previous 102 Premier League matches?
For the next hundred minutes we watched a totally dazzling display of football from Chelsea. They were irresistible from the off and we found it hard to live with them. They were simply better than us throughout and we need not be embarrassed by this. We could have been 2-0 down within the first six minutes, both chances falling to Anelka, Jensen bravely blocking one of these. We didn't know it yet but our popular keeper was about to have a very busy afternoon.
In the eighth minute we had our best chance of the match but Pato fluffed it, and he had a frustrating hour before being replaced by Gudjonsson. We had only three goal attempts to Chelsea's twenty seven in the match, and none of ours were on target though Chris McCann had a decent long range effort not far wide. We worked our socks off in the first half but eventually conceded in the third minute of injury time when the zippy Anelka outpaced Carlisle to bundle in Drogba's cross - these two were outstanding, are creating a frightening attacking partnership, and will contribute to a six, seven or eight for their team anytime soon.
It was disappointing to concede so late on but Chelsea's fluidity, touch, passing and work-rate were such that their first half lead should have been greater. Burnley were not playing badly. They were facing millionaire players at the top of their game. Our biggest failing in the first forty-five was an inability to keep the ball - even when Chelsea didn't have the ball [rare] we gave it to them.
Ancelotti's men had done their homework, and his team closed us down effectively, pressed us and did not allow us the time on the ball that we wanted. Our passing suffered. When Chelsea had it, their powerful, athletic and sublimely skilled players retained it and tried to do us damage.
Brian Jensen had an excellent first half and his saves and interventions kept us in the game. Owen Coyle's team talk at the break would have been a tricky one. I would have loved to hear his suggestions about how we were going to counter the midfield dominance of Essien, Ballack, Lampard and Deco in the second half - world class players up against us.
Little changed after the break except the score...two more Blues goals went in during the first seven minutes of the second half. Coyle, after looking at recordings will be asking questions about both. I love the football we play these days but sometimes, during a tough match, Burnley will have to play more pragmatically, especially in our defensive third.
Just before the second goal the ball should have been put in row Z. Then regroup and defend. Not pretty but it usually stops you conceding. Class sides are unforgiving in these situations and so it proved. Lee Dixon made some sound points about this on 'Match Of The Day'.
The third was a cracking goal involving a snappy one-two and a thunderous finish. Ballack and Cole were the scorers, we were out of the game, it was now 3-0 but could easily have been more.
Chelsea ruthlessly pushed us back in the second half. They outclassed us and the ball was rarely down the 'Shed End'. 'Your keeper made some great saves today' some opposition fans said to me in the Chelsea Potter on the Kings Road an hour after the match ended.
Jensen certainly did and I am not exaggerating when I suggest that we could have had double figures against us if Brian had not had such an inspired afternoon. Blues fans were complimentary about our [thwarted] attempts to play football against them, were well pleased with their own early showing this season, and were quietly confident about where it all might end.
Chelsea continued to attack in waves and Bosingwa and Ashley Cole played more like wingers than full backs. Their players popped up all over the place and were unmarkable. Their slick 'one touch' football and movement was special. They had ten corners to our one. It really was one of the best displays I have ever seen against a Burnley side, and Chelsea are likely Champions next May in my estimation. Those fans wearing Claret shirts were grateful for the final whistle.
This was a difficult afternoon for Burnley FC. We knew it would be - who amongst us expected a win? This defeat will not upset our aims and plans for the season. Our fourteen players did their best today. A couple of them were below par but will put it behind them. Mears, McCann and Fletcher all did well for me.
We know the teams we have to win points against. I thought BJ was excellent and a Danish cap is due. The back four gave all they had. It will not be this tough every week - Chelsea still have Joe Cole, Zhirkov and Alex to fit back in there!
OC was phlegmatic afterwards 'We were given a lesson'. as he acknowledged the financial disparities between the two clubs but pointing out the positives already derived this season. Owen will change little...neither should he.
I enjoyed the whole afternoon. I paid £47[plus] to be entertained - no complaints. The Burnley fans who attended supported the team really well. It is just wonderful to be playing matches at this level...all our young fans enjoy it for as long as it lasts, these are great times for Burnley Football Club.