MATCH REPORT: CHELSEA 2 – 2 BURNLEY

Four goal thriller sees points shared at Stamford Bridge

Ten men Clarets came from behind twice to fight for a well earned point from a pulsating match at Chelsea on Saturday.

Under a glaring sun in the capital, Vincent Kompany made two changes to the side that beat Brentford last time out. Lyle Foster making his first start since the Fulham game at the start of the year, replacing the ineligible David Datro Fofana, and Zeki Amdouni returning to the starting eleven as Charlie Taylor moved to the bench.

The first efforts, inside the opening fifteen minutes, set the tone for what was to be a pulsating match.

Aro Muric was initially called into action as he managed to keep out an Enzo Fernandez effort. Wilson Odobert troubled the keeper at the other end with a delicious right footed curling shot which forced Djordje Petrovic into a great save.

Lorenez Assignon was the first name in the referee’s book for a foul on Mykhailo Mudryk on the 15 minute mark, as the Ukrainian winger caused the Clarets backline problems in those opening stages.

Axel Disasi thought he’d put the hosts in front on 20 minutes. His diving header from a Mudryk cross was then checked by VAR for a possible handball. After a short wait the goal was chalked off and the teams were level once more.

A foul on Assignon by Marc Cucurella saw the Chelsea man enter the book. The resulting Jacob Bruun Larsen free-kick was saved comfortably by Petrovic.

VAR were called into action again five minutes before the break when referee Darren England pointed to the spot for an adjudged foul on Mudryk by Assignon. The Frenchman was then shown a second yellow and the Clarets were down to ten men.

The VAR check confirmed the referee’s on field decision and, unhappy with the calls, Vincent Kompany was also shown a red card.

Cole Palmer had to wait a while but the youngster converted the penalty to put the hosts ahead.

The Clarets made an immediate change. Charlie Taylor introduced for Zeki Amdouni.

Seven minutes added time to an already eventful first half saw Chelsea skipper Connor Gallagher also in the book for a foul on Taylor. Clarets captain Josh Cullen joined him minutes later when he fouled Moises Caicedo.

Full of momentum as added time ticked on Chelsea continued to push forward. Muric did well again when he got down to smother a Gusto shot from close range, with the move drawing a lively half to a close.

The ten men Clarets returned for the second half with Josh Brownhill having replaced Bruun Larsen.

Just two minutes later – the scores were level again.

Vitinho worked well down the right side before pushing a cross into the middle.

Josh Cullen played a one-two with Brownhill before volleying the ball past Petrovic from outside the area, giving the Chelsea shot-stopper no chance.

Once again, the scores were level.

The game then ebbed and flowed from end to end with both sides continuing to make changes in an effort to take maximum points.

Raheem Sterling got stuck in straight away when he came on and it was their number 7 who assisted Cole Palmer for the Blues second goal.

The striker raced on to a flicked through ball and calmly slotted it past the diving Muric.

Their lead lasted less than three minutes.

Josh Cullen floating in a corner which was attacked towards the near post by Dara O’Shea. His header floated over the top of a despairing Petrovic and into the back of the net.

81 minutes on the clock and, once again, the travelling Burnley faithful erupted with joy!

That joy very nearly went to another level again when Jay Rodriguez came so close to putting the Clarets ahead in the final moments of the game.

His power header smashing against the cross bar with the keeper beaten.

A winner would have been no less than the Clarets deserved – but travel back to Lancashire with a well earned, memorable point.

Burnley: Muric, O’Shea, Berge, Foster (Rodriguez 70), Assignon, Vitinho, Cullen, Amdouni (Taylor 45), Esteve, Bruun Larsen (Brownhill 46), Odobert (Gudmundsson 70)

Unused substitutes: Trafford, Cork, Benson, Ekdal, Tresor

Chelsea: Petrovic, Disasi, Cucurella, Badiashile, Fernandez, Mudryk, Jackson, Palmer, Gallagher (Madueke 62), Caicedo (Sterling 73), Gusto (Gilchrist 87)

Unused substitutes: Bettinelli, Silva, Casadei, Deivid, Tauriainen, Acheamponmg

Goals: Palmer 44, 78′, Cullen 47′, O’Shea 81′