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Visitors snatch late point after Fofana sees red for Blues


Zian Fleming snatched a last-gasp equaliser for Burnley as the Premier League strugglers secured a point against 10-man Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Joao Pedro had given the Blues the lead inside the opening five minutes but Liam Rosenior’s men failed to increase their lead before the break.

Wesley Fofana was then sent off mid-way through the second half and the visitors made the most of the numerical advantage when Fleming nodded in the leveller deep into stoppage time to take a share of the spoils in their bid for top-flight survival.

An early breakthrough

It took just four minutes for the hosts the break the deadlock, Moises Caicedo finding Pedro Neto with a sublime pass before the Portuguese international squared to Joao Pedro for a simple finish.

Burnley were looking to put behind them a shock defeat to League One side Mansfield Town in the FA Cup at Turf Moor last weekend.

However, it did not look promising when an error from Kyle Walker then presented a glorious chance for Cole Palmer to double the Blues advantage, but the England forward failed to capitalise.

The visitors ended the half brightly, dominating possession in the closing stages while Chelsea dropped off before break.

Fofana dismissed

After the restart, Rosenior’s men pushed for a second goal, with Joao Pedro seeing an effort blocked before the Blues were reduced to 10 men with just under 20 minutes remaining.

In the 72nd minute, Fofana picked up a second booking when he caught James Ward-Prowse with a reckless challenge, giving referee Lewis Smith little option but to dismiss the Frenchman.

It would prove costly. Deep into second-half stoppage time, Burnley made their numerical advantage pay courtesy of Fleming.

As the clock ticked over into the 93rd minute, Fleming popped up to head in the equaliser and secure an impressive point for Parker’s team.



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