Lampard full of praise for ‘real’ Hudson-Odoi
FRANK LAMPARD insists Chelsea fans saw the real Callum Hudson-Odoi after the England forward inspired a comprehensive dismantling of Burnley.
The 19-year-old slid home his first Premier League goal as the hosts finally turned on the style, with a Jorginho penalty and a Tammy Abraham header making up for some sluggish showings at Stamford Bridge in recent weeks.
Hudson-Odoi had suffered criticism for a below-par showing in Chelsea’s 2-0 Boxing Day loss to Southampton, but starred against the team he tore his Achilles tendon against last April to leave his manager delighted.
‘For Callum to score in the six-yard box is far more exciting for me than for him to score from 35 yards, without a doubt,’ said Lampard.
‘Because it means that he’s prepared to run the extra bit to sprint in there.
‘His overall performance was an absolute statement for Callum of what he needs to do.
‘That was the real Callum HudsonOdoi and what he can be — and there’s obviously more to come. His goal was brilliant for him and, if he can carry on doing it, then that’s a serious player we have in Callum.’
Given Chelsea’s recent struggles on home soil, Burnley were always going to be a test of mettle.
To their credit, the home side stood firm, Chris Wood’s nose a bloody and early illustration of Chelsea’s resolve.
However, it was Burnley who found the net first, Ben Mee rising to meet a free-kick and heading back across goal for Jeff Hendrick to nod home
But the goal was chalked off for offside, a tight call ratified by the rulers at Stockley Park.
Unfortunately for the visitors, there was no VAR let-off when Willian was sent tumbling by Matt Lowton in the penalty area minutes later.
Replays showed the defender had pulled his legs away and Willian had gone looking for the contact but there was nothing that convinced the VAR official to overturn it and Jorginho fired Chelsea ahead.
Seven minutes before the break, it looked all over when Reece James found space down the right and crossed for Abraham to nod home.
Any hope of a Burnley revival was extinguished early in the second half when Hudson-Odoi tapped in Cesar Azpilicueta’s cross at the back post.
Burnley boss Sean Dyche conceded: ‘Chelsea were too good. I have no question with the result. We’ve hit a tough spell.’