Chelsea trailed for the second straight Premier League game after Burnley drew in stoppage time, leaving them 10 men down for the eighth time this season.
Chelsea snatch another win (Image: Andrew Kearns – CameraSport via Getty Images)
Manager Liam Rosenior accused Chelsea’s players of “sparking the fire” in their 1-1 draw with Burnley, which cost them three points. Jean Fleming’s 93rd-minute equalizer gave 10-man Chelsea a second straight Premier League lead at Stamford Bridge.
Joao Pedro’s goal in the fourth minute gave Chelsea an early advantage, but they were unable to build on it. History repeated itself after losing a 2-0 lead at home to Leeds in their last game.
Another familiar failure reared its ugly head over the Blues’ poor discipline, with Welshy Fofana sent off for two yellow cards in the second half. His sacking gave 19th-placed Burnley the upper hand, eventually snatching a draw and raising faint hopes of avoiding relegation.
Chelsea have received eight red cards this season, making them the only two teams in Premier League history to receive more red cards in a single season. After the game, Rosenior vented his frustration.
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“From the first goal onwards, when we took the lead, we didn’t have enough of an opening,” the Blues manager fumed. “I want to cut, I want to create wave after wave of attack.
“We were too safe in possession. When you give any team a one-goal advantage, you never know what can happen. If you get a red card, you’re down to 10 men.
“We knew their biggest threat with (James) Ward-Prowse on the pitch was set pieces. We made as many big plays as we could because that was the only way they could score with 10 men. We haven’t seen it yet.”
“I think what’s more frustrating is the last two home games. The biggest frustration is that we were in a position to win and controlled the game and we didn’t win the two games. It’s not my fault personally.”
Rosenior added: “What happened to me was that we sparked four points in two home games. Anyone who watches the game will tell you that for a club at this level, this is not enough.”
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Chelsea have received eight red cards this season (Image: Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
“It’s not enough to come here and say we were the better team. We need to be a better team in every game. We need to win football games.”
Asked about Chelsea’s disciplinary history, Rosenior defended the actions of his players during the up-and-coming club’s tenure. However, the 41-year-old admitted he had received “too many” red cards this season.
“Our discipline has been very good since I started. I’m the only one who can speak on this,” Rosenior said. “That was an unfortunate red card for Wes. He stepped up to the challenge and I felt there was something that could have been handled better before it happened without the referee’s knowledge.”
“But I will get a red card. That’s too many, certainly too many. But I think my disciplinary record so far has been very good during my time in the group.”
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