Zian Fleming clinched a late leveling goal for Burnley, as the relegation-threatened Premier League side secured a draw against 10-man Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Joao Pedro had put the Blues ahead early in the game, within the initial five minutes, but Liam Rosenior’s squad failed to extend their advantage prior to the interval.
Wesley Fofana was then dismissed around the midpoint of the second half, and the visitors capitalized on their numerical superiority when Fleming nodded in the parity goal well into added time, claiming a share of the spoils in their quest for top-flight survival.
A Swift Opening
It took merely four minutes for the hosts to open the scoring, with Moises Caicedo delivering an exquisite pass to Pedro Neto, who then squared it to Joao Pedro for a straightforward conversion.
Burnley were aiming to move past a stunning loss to League One side Mansfield Town in the FA Cup at Turf Moor the previous weekend.
However, the outlook appeared bleak when a blunder from Kyle Walker then offered a golden opportunity for Cole Palmer to extend Chelsea’s lead, but the England forward could not convert.
The visitors concluded the half strongly, commanding play in the final moments while Chelsea receded prior to the break.
Fofana Ejected
Following the interval, Rosenior’s men pressed for a second goal, with Joao Pedro having an effort blocked before the Blues found themselves with ten players, with scarcely 20 minutes remaining.
In the 72nd minute, Fofana received a second caution when he committed a rash foul on James Ward-Prowse, leaving official Lewis Smith no choice but to eject the Frenchman.
It would turn out to be detrimental. Well into additional time during the second half, Burnley benefited from being a man up, courtesy of Fleming.
As the clock elapsed into the 93rd minute, Fleming emerged to nod home the leveling goal and clinch a commendable draw for Parker’s squad.