Burnley’s primary objective in the opening stages of their trip to Stamford Bridge was to keep the back door shut for as long as possible.
Unfortunately for Scott Parker’s men, such has been their season; their resistance was broken after just four minutes as Pedro Neto broke in behind and squared for João Pedro to bundle the ball over the line from just a few yards out.
Chelsea’s pressure was relentless in the opening 15 minutes, and only a last-ditch Kyle Walker block to thwart Cole Palmer prevented them from doubling their advantage.
Complacency seemed to creep in midway through the first half for the Blues, but fortunately for them, Burnley were hardly in a position to fashion any clear-cut chances.
Indeed, their best chance came from a set piece which was wasted by Marcus Edwards, whose free-kick drifted yards wide of the target.
A huge chance presented itself for Palmer within seconds of the ball being back in play, as the England international strode clear on goal but could only hammer a wasteful effort straight into the hands of Martin Dúbravka.
As much as Burnley were struggling to get back into the game, Chelsea showed precious little that suggested they were going to place it beyond the Clarets’ reach.
A Neto shot that was blocked at the death by Bashir Humphreys was a warning sign that Liam Rosenior’s side still posed a danger, but they shot themselves in the foot 20 minutes from time.
Already on a yellow card, Wesley Fofana’s late lunge on James Ward-Prowse earned him a second booking and the Blues were forced to see the game out a man light.
A couple of attack-minded changes from Scott Parker gave Burnley a platform to find a late leveller, and they eventually made their numerical advantage pay in stoppage time.
It was little surprise that it was their go-to man Zian Flemming who grabbed it, ghosting into the area to head home Ward-Prowse’s delivery and send a 2000-strong travelling contingent back to Lancashire with a point.
Although a point will do little to boost Burnley’s PL survival hopes, it could prove costly to Chelsea’s top-four aspirations, as they stand to end the weekend outside of the UEFA Champions League spots.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Andrey Santos (Chelsea)
