Alan Shearer heaped praise on Chelsea’s performance after their comprehensive 3-0 victory over Burnley and picked out summer arrival Hakim Ziyech as his man of the match at Turf Moor.
Ziyech, 27, making his full Premier League debut for the Blues, broke the deadlock with a smart finish past Nick Pope in the 26th minute before goals from Kurt Zouma and Timo Werner put the visitors out of sight in the second half.
The Morocco international suffered a knee injury in pre-season and has had to be patient for his chance but seized his opportunity on Saturday afternoon – after netting against Krasnodar in midweek – and become the first player since Diego Costa to score in his first two starts for Chelsea.
Discussing the match on BBC’s Match of the Day, Danny Murphy felt Mason Mount was the best player on the pitch over the course of the 90 minutes – but Shearer disagreed and named Ziyech as Chelsea’s star man.
‘He did exceptionally well,’ England and Newcastle legend Shearer said.
‘He’s struggled with injuries to get into the team, scored in midweek in the Champions League which would have given him great confidence.
‘I have to disagree with Danny, I thought he was the best player for Chelsea today.
‘He was creating, he was scoring, he was just a constant threat all afternoon.’
On Ziyech’s goal, Shearer said: ‘Give, go and the finish there, he just sends Pope the wrong way.
‘He also had to do his little bit defensively and did that very well.
‘He was given a little bit of freedom. So if he wants to go and have a roam then he can do that because [N’Golo] Kante’s in there if they do lose that ball.’
Timo Werner fluffed a chance to extend Chelsea’s lead after being put through by Ziyech but made no mistake at the second time of asking in the 70th minute.
Analysing Ziyech’s ball to Werner, Shearer said: ‘The little dink in behind there to Werner, that is such a clever ball.
‘A better touch and that should be in the back of the net.
‘He punished Burnley for poor play. He set Werner up before and he didn’t take the chance, but he did second time round.
‘That weight of pass is just so good and that touch and the finish from Werner also.
‘So very, very good from Chelsea, particularly going forward.’
Chelsea head coach Lampard praised Ziyech’s display and said the Moroccan had given the team a ‘big boost’ since his summer arrival from Ajax.
‘I expected a lot of him, because I was very aware of his quality, that’s why we brought him to the club,’ Lampard said at his post-match press conference.
‘I think I’ve said it a bit now, but he brings a different quality to us with his eye for a pass, receiving, his crossing and everything, his assist-making.
‘But what I’ve seen since he’s been here as well is his absolute personality when he plays to want the ball. His work rate off the ball is very, very good as well.
‘And he’s brought those qualities and he’s come in with a real confidence. He’s definitely given us a big boost with his demeanour and the way he plays.
‘Two games in a few days, with a trip to Russia in between, for him, after being out for so long, it’s been a really good start for him.’
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