The Sunday Post (Newcastle)

CHELSEA 1 Havertz (33) BURNLEY 1 Vydra (79)

-

Sean Dyche has dismissed suggestion­s of touchline clashes with Chelsea as “bizarre” after Burnley’s heated draw at Stamford Bridge.

Clarets first-team coach Steve Stone was overheard telling Chelsea’s bench to “show some respect” amid a terse first-half exchange in west London.

Both sets of coaches appeared animated and frustrated, but after a cut-and-thrust encounter, both Dyche and Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel moved to downplay any incidents.

Matej Vydra’s late equaliser denied leaders Chelsea a fifth-straight Premier League win after the hosts had gone ahead through Kai Havertz’s header.

And Burnley boss Dyche was left confused as to why the questions after the game were on off-field incidents.

“This is the most bizarre interview ever,” said Dyche. “I didn’t see or say anything at all. I have no clue where these questions are coming from. I have no clue what a flashpoint is any more.

“I’m actually confused. I don’t remember hardly anything happening to be honest. I don’t remember any flashpoint­s that’s for sure.

“That’s standard stuff, two groups of people trying to win a football game. I actually have no clue where this line of question’s coming from.

“It’s just two groups of staff trying to win a football match.

“I’m not hard at all! I’m just a normal bloke trying to win a football match, that’s it.”

An upbeat Tuchel batted off questions about any touchline truck with Dyche, before praising Chelsea’s overall performanc­e levels.

Asked about any issues with Burnley’s bench, Tuchel said: “I don’t want to talk about it now. Maybe it was fun for you but I will not talk about it.

“I learned in my career as a coach not to comment on referees and other coaches. It will catch you out.

“Burnley were very lucky, but that’s football. Were we lucky in the first game of these seven matches to escape with a clean sheet at Brentford? Yes, we were.

“Of course they were lucky, and that’s why everybody loves the game, because it’s possible to win matches like this.

“I’m very happy with where we are, and it can happen as it did today that somebody else steals a point .”

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom