Flemming rescues last-gasp point for Burnley after Chelsea’s Fofana sees red

Flemming rescues last-gasp point for Burnley after Chelsea’s Fofana sees red Chelsea got what they deserved here. They had been coasting to fourth courtesy of an early João Pedro goal, but the second-half dismissal of Wesley Fofana gave a glimmer to a Burnley team previously clinging on. Liam Rosenior’s side desperately tried to run down the clock, only to allow an unmarked Zian Flemming to nod home a James Ward-Prowse corner in added time. It might have been worse, as Jacob Bruun Larsen nodded an identical Ward-Prowse corner over the bar. Rust the culprit? Chelsea’s players had enjoyed four days off given to them by Rosenior, Cole Palmer heading a winter sun delegation to Dubai in a rare midweek without competitive action. Estêvão was an absentee after a hamstring problem picked up on his return to training. Roméo Lavia, missing since November, on the bench was a point of intrigue, after the news he had spent his convalescence fine-tuning his decision making with the help of virtual reality. Talking of reality, Burnley still stare down the barrel of relegation. Scott Parker had selected the same team that staged a comeback at Crystal Palace 10 days previously, with only two survivors from the starting lineup that lost at Mansfield in the FA Cup. That embarrassment undid much of the goodwill sent Parker’s way after Selhurst but this battling point will help. Burnley were a goal down within three minutes and far too easily. Moisés Caicedo’s pass from deep found Pedro Neto, and the winger’s cross was met by a sliding João Pedro. On the touchline, despite such a bright start, Rosenior was dissatisfied, prowling and clapping in the style of a thoroughly modern manager. His Chelsea team play with far greater freedom than the often mechanical, by-rote style under Enzo Maresca. Palmer, rested at Hull with muscular problems being nursed, looked in the mood in the early stages, given licence to roam. The cost of greater liberty is a lack of control and from midway through th...