Ugly scenes at Stamford Bridge as Burnley thwart Chelsea

Kante 12, Higuain 14

Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger and Burnley goalkeeping coach Billy Mercer had to be separated by the officials at the final whistle, as a gripping encounter ended in ugly touchline scenes at Stamford Bridge.

David Luiz and Ashley Westwood later clashed as the teams attempted to depart via the tunnel, in a frantic west London encounter.

Sarri’s men did move fourth in the table courtesy of their draw, but dropping two points at home could prove costly in the Champions League race – as could worrying injuries to Callum Hudson-odoi and N’golo Kante. Hudson-odoi limped out with a leg problem, while Kante picked up a back complaint and was also replaced.

Burnley, meanwhile, moved nine points clear of the relegation zone and can consider themselves as good as safe.

Chelsea started brightly but the visitors took the lead against the run of play when Jeff Hendrick struck a sweet volleyfromtheedgeofthebox.

Kante and Gonzalo Higuain struck two goals in as many minutes to turn the tide though, with both efforts easy on the eye.

Ruben Loftus-cheek outmuscled Westwood, Eden Hazard bamboozled Matthew Lowton and then Kante drilled home the leveller. Then Higuain spun in the area, exchanged passes with Cesar Azpilicueta and rifled into the roof of the net to make it 2-1.

Chelsea continued to press, Loftus-cheek, Hazard and Higuain all off target. But amid that general dominance the Blues switched off at another set-piece, and were duly punished again before the halftime interval. This time Chris Wood nodded a free-kick across goal and Ashley Barnes finished well on the slide.

Chelsea pressed for a winner after the break but it didn’t come, and time will tell how costly that might prove.