Burnley boss Owen Coyle admits Chelsea were simply a level above them after yesterday's 3-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge.

"We had one or two opportunities in the first half but we are not deluding ourselves as Chelsea had a host of chances and Brian made some big saves," said Coyle.

"There might have been a suspicion of offside about their first goal but there is no doubt about it, Chelsea were deserved winners. I have no argument with that. We will take our medicine and it was a lesson today at times with the way Chelsea passed and moved the ball.

"But that is why they are world-class players. We will look to pick ourselves up and go again. The disappointing thing was losing the first goal on the stroke of half-time and then the five minutes after the break.

"We had to be so focused and concentrated to keep ourselves in the game. But we didn't and we got punished for it. At 3-0 the game is beyond you, no doubt about that. I thought some of the Chelsea play was fantastic and all credit to them. They are good players who believe in what they are doing.

"At this level we have to take our chances. Martin Paterson is in the dressing room apologising to the lads because he is so honest. But I have no problem with people missing chances because I had a career full of them, the problem is when you are not getting chances.

"But I thank the lads for the start to the season and everything they have given me."