Burnley vs Chelsea player ratings: Cesc Fabregas stands out, but who were the other best performers?

£30m Spaniard provided two assists in sublime performance

(Getty Images)

In a single game, Cesc Fabregas may have revolutionised the way Chelsea play their football.

The Spanish midfielder's performance at Chelsea was something that fans of the club have never seen.

Chelsea have had dominant midfielders in the past, Frank Lampard, Michael Essien, Michael Ballack and Claude Makelele, but those players dominanted through physicality, athleticism and sheer force of will.

Fabregas dominated this match through sublime skill. The midfielder was head and shoulders above the other 21 players on the pitch, dictating the whole tempo of the match from the first whistle.

Burnley may have taken a a surprise lead, through Scott Arfield, Burnley's best player, but the midfield maestro soon started pulling strings again. His assist for Andre Schurrle's goal could end up being the pass of the season; in fact, it was as good a pass that many Chelsea fans will have ever seen. He added another assist for Branislav Ivanovic and set the tone in the second half as Chelsea saw off a comfortable win against a spirited home side.

Elsewhere, Diego Costa scored a vital equaliser on his debut and provided plenty of running and workrate up front, before tiring in the second-half.

Eden Hazard was a bit quiet, but after the exertions of last season, where he was expected to be Chelsea's match-winner every week, he won't mind playing second-fiddle to someone else. Andre Schurrle was full of running and movement, though Oscar was wasteful.

The defence, bar a momentary lapse for the first goal, was as good as ever, while Thibaut Courtois was calmness personified on his debut.

Burnley will face many, many easier days than this one during this season - they worked hard but lacked the quality to keep up with their opponents. Danny Ings gave John Terry and Gary Cahill the odd scare with his restless movement and he should score goals in this division.