Burnley vs Chelsea: Cesc Bomb

No gloves. No helmet. No party.

What a difference a day makes and that. Yes, I'm starting out the season with a ridiculous cliché / fantastically good song. And by day I really mean the difference in mood from the team sheets being leaked to the final whistle. Of course this all just could me having a massive strop while the rest of you were in various states of inebriation from your trip up on the football special.

I was not happy that Petr Cech was dropped*. There. I've said it. I know that all Chelsea supporters should all just be looking for a bright clean sheet infused future. But after the upheaval of some of the greatest talent we've seen at Chelsea in recent years I'm afraid that my delicate constitution could not handle another. Especially one who arguably has years rather than months ahead of him.

The club of course took some consideration at filling the Lampard and Cole shaped holes in my heart with a Champions League clinching Ivorian. But I was clinging to big Pete like a wet towel on a nail. Or something less disgusting. But just like Lampard's departure, there was no stopping it. When the inevitable names were read out - a team that did not include Cech, Lampard or Cole for the first time in actual ages, the excitement for the new season took a little bit of a hit. A little.

Of course Jose Mourinho -says- he doesn't want our chapeau-ed goalkeeper to leave, but he did say the same about the little Juan. And we all know where he ended up. He's no longer turning up in hipster haunts all over the city. To seal Cech's fate further Mourinho likened the situation to his first go round when he brought Cech in to replace the swarthy Carlo Cudicini. Hopefully Cech will not end up at Tottenham.

Anyways, away from the lamentations of Chelsea's extended break-up with the 'Old Guard', there was only a bleedin' exciting match that followed. And by match, of course, we're only referring to the first 45 minutes. We can all agree the second half was an exercise in frustrating Burnley's players and just about any neutral out there still watching.

It didn't take long for Diego Costa to start earning his paycheque. He even managed to do it on a cold night in Burnley - the Britannia better be afraid. VERY afraid. With many numpties fans predicting a Costa hat-trick  they might be disappointed. But those more sensible amongst you probably came away chuffed with his performance. Getting on the scoresheet against the team most likely to not be with us next season is kind of a big deal.

The talk of the town Twitter of course was celery enthusiast Cesc Fabregas. Strange seeing the Messi-induced hairline. Stranger to see him playing in blue. It doesn't quite look right yet -- but who cares?! With *that* pass last night he can play in whatever colour he fancies. Well, maybe not any colour …

As if Fabregas didn't get himself involved in all three goals!? For all the Costa / Courtois chat that's gone one for the last 6 months, this could be one of Chelsea's top transfers in ages. Difficult and irresponsible to judge off the back of one game, but he already looks like he's been playing with the club for ages. He should get a sound booing at the Emirates.

Remember when Burnley were winning? Neither do they

Somewhat overlooked last night was Eden Hazard and the outstanding performance he put in. The run for Schürrle's goal was exceptional. Maybe it's because of all the new faces or the aforementioned Fabregas that he wasn't a talking point. Possibly because Chelsea fans are just used to that standard of performance from the diminutive Belgian. But for any of you who had the pleasure endurance to sit through Belgium's World Cup games, Hazard can actually have an off day. I've seen it myself. I thought I was just delirious from watching every minute of every game. But it is true. He is human.

One player not overlooked by anyone was the man with the six month long injury - Didier Drogba. Who, by and large, made an appearance to make fools of us all. 'Us' obviously being the silly sods who fell for the rumours. And yes, I realise that it was just me who actually believed it. A kick to the ankle isn't taking that man down and we I should have all known better!

Drogba also went the extra mile for all those fans who made the 17 hour journey on 9 trains to get to and from Burnley as he trotted over and quite literally took the shirt off of his back for one of them. What. A. Man.

The new look Chelsea may take time for some (just me) to get used to -- but what a way to help you (still just me) ease into it!

See you at home for Leicester!

j x

*Despite being prepared for Courtois starting from last Friday, it didn't stop me from having a miniature meltdown in my travels home to resentfully watch Sky. Sky - the very people responsible for me not being able to attend the game in the first place **

** and by Sky I mean a dodgy stream as I was going to stick it to Sky one way or the other. Have some of that Gary Neville