Zian Flemming struck in the third minute of stoppage time to earn Burnley a dramatic 1-1 draw against 10-man Chelsea, punishing the hosts for another lapse in discipline and set-piece defending at Stamford Bridge. Liam Rosenior’s side had led from the fourth minute through in-form striker João Pedro and looked to be cruising towards three points until Wesley Fofana was sent off 18 minutes from time, opening the door for Scott Parker’s team to mount a late surge.
Chelsea dominated long stretches of the contest but failed to find a decisive second goal, and their vulnerability with a lead at home was exposed again when Flemming was left unmarked to power in a James Ward-Prowse corner in the 93rd minute. The result means Chelsea have now dropped a league-high 17 points from winning positions at Stamford Bridge this season and collected a sixth Premier League red card, while Burnley, still second bottom and eight points from safety, depart west London with a morale-boosting point. Stamford Bridge responded with a chorus of boos at full-time, underlining the frustration on the home side.
Fast Start, Familiar Frustrations
Chelsea could hardly have wished for a better opening. With just four minutes gone, Moisés Caicedo picked out Pedro Neto with a pass from deep, the winger bursting in behind Kyle Walker down the right. Neto’s low cross into the six-yard box was met by a sliding João Pedro, who bundled the ball over the line. It continued a prolific spell for the Brazilian, described as Chelsea’s in-form striker and now on five league goals in his last six matches, seven in his last nine games overall.