Burnley forward Zian Flemming seized a late equalizer in injury time to secure a 1-1 tie against 10-player Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Flemming scored from a James Ward-Prowse corner in the 93rd minute after Chelsea lost their grip on the game due to Wesley Fofana’s red card.
The hosts were in control until the defender’s red card in the 72nd minute, having initially gone ahead with Joao Pedro’s goal in the fourth minute.
However, an inquest will occur, as Chelsea has surrendered a league-high 19 points from winning situations this season.
They possess six red cards as well—the highest number of any team in the Premier League and eight across all competitions.
It seemed like it would be smooth sailing for Chelsea after Joao Pedro scored from close range following Pedro Neto’s cross in the fourth minute.
Cole Palmer almost took advantage of a blunder by Kyle Walker at the halfway mark but couldn’t elevate his shot over Burnley keeper Martin Dubravka, with two more attempts in the half also being blocked.
Burnley’s sole genuine opportunity in the first half arose when Lesley Ugochukwu volleyed over from a corner given due to a new rule that penalized Chelsea’s goalkeeper Robert Sanchez for retaining possession of the ball for over eight seconds.
Following the break, Joao Pedro had his shot denied by ex-Chelsea defender Bashir Humphreys before heading over from a corner in the 66th minute.
Before Fofana was shown a second yellow card in the 72nd minute, Burnley had not recorded a shot in the second half, previously receiving a booking for a late tackle on Hannibal Mejbri.
Four minutes later, Josh Laurent compelled a save from Sanchez, as Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior substituted in defenders, while Scott Parker deployed attackers in pursuit of an equalizer.
Flemming had no one marking him when he scored his dramatic equalizer with a header, and substitute Jacob Bruun Larsen squandered a similar opportunity moments later, as Chelsea fans jeered their team off after the final whistle.
Chelsea ascend to fourth in the Premier League standings, having played one more game than Manchester United, but are unable to reduce the distance to Aston Villa, who tied with Leeds. Burnley are still in second to last place, eight points away from safety.
