In a week where his personal life dominated the tabloid headlines, John Terry scored the winner against Burnley to send the Blues five points clear at the top of the table. The 2-1 win also saw goals from Nicolas Anelka and Steven Fletcher.

The Christmas tree formation was again on show with Ashley Cole, Yuri Zhirkov and Florent Malouda all present in the same starting side. Alex was also preferred to Ricardo Carvalho in defence.

Chelsea led just before the half hour, couresty of Anelka. A classy break saw Joe Cole pick out Malouda with a diagonal ball, the French winger knocking the ball into the box for Anelka to supply the clinical finish.

However, just four minutes into the second half, Burnley fashioned an equaliser. A long ball was expertly brought down by Fletcher and the forward kept a cool head to flick the ball past Alex and then fire into the back of the net past Petr Cech.

Moments later Chelsea thought they were in front, but Joe Cole’s close range header was ruled out for offside. Then, Lampard forced a decent low save from Brian Jensen with a powerful free kick.

But with eight minutes remaining, John Terry stepped up to score the decisive goal. He rose high and unmarked to meet Lampard’s corner with a powerful header that gave Jensen no chance.

Chris Eagles fired wide late on but Cech seemed to have it covered. A professional performance in chilly Lancashire from Chelsea and one that opens up a decent buffer at the league’s summit.

Chelsea travel to Turf Moor in the hope of completing a perfect January, by defeating Burnley in a late kick off in the Premier league this afternoon.

The home side lost manager Owen Coyle to Bolton Wanderers after the sacking of Gary Megson and are threatened by relegation, whilst the home side welcome back Didier Drogba, looking to make up for lost time in the golden boot race.

Chelsea are coming off a clinical 3-0 win over Birmingham whilst Burnley were defeated by Coyle’s Bolton last time out. Former Sheffield Wednesday manager Brian Laws is now in charge.

Carlo Ancelotti may well have both Drogba and Salomon Kalou as his disposal, though the Blues have been mightily impressive in their absence. Indeed, Nicolas Anelka has scored five in his last five matches.

Graeme Alexander and Chris McCann were both missing for the Bolton match and Laws will be hoping that at least one of the two will be fit for a midfield battle against some of the best.

Chelsea haven’t played a top flight match at Turf Moor since August 1974, where they won 2-1. Substitute Ian Hutchinson scored the winner with five minutes remaining. Chelsea’s last match there of any description was in the Second Division in 1982/1983, going down 3-0.

The reverse fixture this season saw Chelsea run out easy 3-0 winners at Stamford Bridge, thanks to goals from Nicolas Anelka, Michael Ballack and Ashley Cole.

A similar result away from home is paying a slim 2/7 with Ladbrokes, whilst the draw is at 9/2. A shock Burnley win is paying very long odds of 9/1.