Premier League leaders Chelsea were held to a 1-1 home draw by struggling Burnley as visitors’ substitute Matej Vydra pulled out of the blue late in the game to cancel Saturday’s Kai Havertz opener.
The result left Chelsea with 26 points from 11 matches, three more than second-placed Manchester City, who beat Manchester United 2–0 in their lunchtime derby. Burnley finished 18th with eight points.
Goalkeeper Nick Pope kept Burnley early, denying Callum Hudson-Odoi and Jorginho, but were powerless in the 33rd minute with devastating effect from Reece James and Germany forward Havertz.
James found space on the right bank and delivered an inch-perfect cross for Havertz, who was down in the far corner eight meters before Pope, who remained attached to his line.
Chelsea continued the pressure after the break as Thiago Silva’s header shaved the outside of the post before Havertz fired a close-range shot over the bar and Pope blocked Hudson-Odoi’s effort with a reflex save. Gave.
Those misses proved costly as Burnley made her first meaningful raid after swinging Ashley Westwood into a teasing cross, which Jay Rodriguez nodded in the 79th minute for Vedra to tap from close range.
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