Monday featured yet another onslaught of goals in the early workings of a game in Europe. This time Chelsea and Burnley combined for four goals in the first 25 minutes of action at Stamford Bridge.
Both teams were looking for a much-needed win with Burnley fighting against relegation and Chelsea fighting for a top four spot. Ultimately, following a 2-2 draw, both teams got some help in their respective causes. For Burnley, the point all but secures the club's participation in the Premier League for a fourth straight season.
Burnley’s Jeff Hendrick scored off a volley which he promptly rocketed past Kepa for the opening goal. Chelsea answered within minutes with two of its own.
First, after a great feed from Eden Hazard, N’Golo Kante scored through enormous traffic. That was quickly followed by Gonzalo Higuain working some space and firing a shot which managed to find its way into the net off the crossbar.
Burnley wasted little time in answering with Ashley Barnes scoring with no one around him on a great corner, ending the scoring for the game before halftime.
Late in the game, both Chelsea scorers were subbed off and Higuain was clearly upset on the bench. Manager Maurizio Sarri gave Chelsea’s Europa League hero, Olivier Giroud, a chance in the 78th minute. The Blues needed some new energy, and Higuan had given up on a few plays prior to his exit.
Not a good look... Higuain makes his feelings known on being substituted.
Click through to watch LIVE on the app https://t.co/j1vbn7n3DP89' Chelsea 2 - 2 Burnley. #OptusSport #CHEBUR pic.twitter.com/RrNBmwFnt9
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) April 22, 2019
Chelsea dominated the second half as the Blues possessed and attacked for what seemed like an eternity. On the night, Chelsea did not give up the ball easily or for long. They controlled for over three quarters of the game while more than doubling Burnley in all offensive categories, yet it was still a draw.
After a few Burnley instances of time wasting late in the game frustration rose — multiple Chelsea players were hit with yellow cards, as well as Sarri being ejected.
Both teams will take a point, one happier than the other, but coming off a weekend when Man United, Spurs and Arsenal all lost, fans of all these clubs will be livid for days.
—Spurs: Lose
—Manchester United: Lose
—Arsenal: Lose
—Chelsea: HeldWho wants to finish in the top four? pic.twitter.com/IgMJY8TxuK— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 22, 2019
Both squads will be off until Sunday, April 28. Burnley hosts Manchester City while Chelsea will head to Manchester United, with three of those aforementioned four teams desperately needing a win for two separate causes. Burnley, however, is safe. (Unless Cardiff wins all three of its remaining matches by a 14-goal margin and Burnley loses every game over that same period.)
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