It was after Callum Hudson-Odoi scampered down Chelsea’s right flank unopposed once more that Burnley boss Sean Dyche lost patience with Robbie Brady.
The Clarets boss demanded his winger do more to halt the 20-year-old, who was having a major influence on the contest. Brady, after a choice expletive, replied forcefully: “I just can’t stop him. What do you want me to do?”
Those words will delight Chelsea fans and Thomas Tuchel alike. Hudson-Odoi has been viewed as a talent destined for the top since his formative years in the Blues academy. It’s largely why Bayern Munich have tried to sign him on multiple occasions.
Yet a rapid ascent hasn’t occurred for the winger. Part of the reason for that is lack of opportunity, the other is he lost several months to a nasty Achilles injury suffered during his breakout campaign.
By Hudson-Odoi’s own admission, that injury required plenty of time to recover from. And even after making his return, there were setbacks and his best form wasn't easy to rediscover.
However, as Frank Lampard’s tenure at Stamford Bridge drew to a close, Hudson-Odoi was making decisive impacts on a consistent basis. He netted in the defeat to Manchester City, scored and assisted in the win over Morecambe, and created a goal in the victory over Luton Town.
Despite his form, Hudson-Odoi wasn’t a regular starter under Lampard. That has quickly changed under Tuchel.
The England international has been included in the side from the off against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley in the somewhat unfamiliar role as right wing-back. His adaptation has been seamless.
Part of the reason for that is Chelsea’s domination in both games has resulted in Hudson-Odoi spending large swathes of time in the attacking third, which is where he does his best work.
But he hasn’t negated his defensive responsibilities when called upon; one late challenge to deny Leander Dendoncker in the midweek draw with Wolves was crucial to the Blues taking a point.
Hudson-Odoi built his burgeoning reputation as a winger and that is where his long-term future almost certainly lies in this Chelsea team. As long as Tuchel continues with a wing-back system, though, a new role beckons for the academy graduate.
"Of course we knew him [before Tuchel and his team arrived at Chelsea],” the German coach said after the game.
“There were big rumours around him and Bayern Munich but we knew before if you are interested in football, upcoming players, he was in the focus way before I ever thought about being his manager.
"He can have his input on the line, he has the ability to be decisive with his runs, his speed and at the moment we have opted for this structure.
"He can play in the half positions offensively, this is clear and we wanted to take the chance against Wolves so we went with Chilly (Ben Chilwell) and him, today it was Marcos (Alonso) and him.
"He had another good game, if we can improve the precision of our guys in the box then maybe we can score more goals."
A true test of Tuchel's faith in Hudson-Odoi the wing-back will come on Thursday. The Blues make the short trip across London to take on Tottenham Hotspur, who will pose a far greater threat than Wolves and Burnley.
But if given the opportunity at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, it would be no great shock to hear further expletives from opponents as Hudson-Odoi charges up the Chelsea right once more.
