Chelsea edge out Burnley

Lampard scored but did little else to impress

Burnley 1-2 Chelsea

Frank Lampard missed a great chance to impress watching England manager Sven Goran Eriksson as Chelsea narrowly beat Burnley at Turf Moor.

The midfielder is hoping his £11m summer move from West Ham to Stamford Bridge will provide the springboard to establish himself on the full international stage.

But aside from scoring Chelsea's winner with a 65th-minute penalty, the former England Under-21 international skipper failed to make any impression as he was hustled and bustled out of his stride.

We've brought the average age down quite considerably but also brought in some great experience

Chelsea managing director Colin Hutchinson

And with defenders Graeme Le Saux and John Terry sidelined through injury, the Swede had little to enthuse over - at least among the England hopefuls - as he ponders his squad for the friendly with Holland in under a fortnight's time.

However, afterwards, Chelsea managing director Colin Hutchinson said he believed the Blues can challenge Man Utd this season.

"It's coming together nicely and this was a great work-out," said Hutchinson.

"We've had a busy summer and knew we would because we'd reached the stage where the team had to be restructured.

"We've brought the average age down quite considerably but also brought in some great experience with Petit.

"The Premiership is going to be very competitive but we hope to give Manchester United a run for their money."

Clarets boss Stan Ternent also took plenty of heart from the game: "I was well satisfied with our performance against a very good side," said Ternent.

Uncomfortable moments

"We passed the ball well and kept our shape well, and by the time the season starts next Sunday we'll be right on course."

Chelsea's summer signing Emmanuel Petit made his debut at centre-half in the absence of skipper Marcel Desailly, but he and fellow new recruit William Gallas endured some uncomfortable moments against the First Division side.

In the 10th minute Mario Melchiot, under pressure from Clarets striker Gareth Taylor, headed past his own keeper Ed de Goey only for referee Mark Cowburn to rule the Dutchman was pushed.

Five minutes later Glen Little skipped past left-back Jon Harley and Ian Moore volleyed home in style from 10 yards after Gallas was able only to half-clear a probing cross.

Controversial

Weller then spurned a good chance to put his side two up when he fired into the side-netting from eight yards after another mazy run and cross from Little had caused panic in the visiting defence.

Stung into action, Chelsea hit back in the 37th minute when Burnley skipper Steve Davis' defensive header was woefully short and Mario Stanic nipped in to steer the ball past the stranded Nikolaos Michopoulos.

The second half began in controversial style when referee Cowburn ordered Hasselbaink to be substituted in the 47th minute after he had squared up to Davis following a push by the defender.

The Dutchman reluctantly departed to be replaced by Gianfranco Zola.

And just five minutes later Clarets boss Stan Ternent chose to replace his entire side.

Against the run of play Chelsea went ahead in the 64th minute when Mark McGregor was adjudged to have pulled Lampard's shirt and the former West Ham midfielder hammered the ball low past Luigi Cennamo.

Gordon Armstrong almost restored parity but his 25-yard free-kick flew just the wrong side of the post with de Goey beaten.