Matej Vydra halted the charge of Premier League leaders Chelsea and ended the Blue’s seven-game winning streak as Burnley claimed a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.
The Clarets are continuing to turn round their form but remain in the relegation zone despite a surprise point away in London.
Sean Dyche’s men looked to rough up their opponents early on, with Kai Havertz dumped into the crowd in a nasty looking tumble.
But the forward emerged from the front row and instantly punished Burnley, turning in a header whilst all alone in the box after being picked out by Reece James.
The floodgates were expected to open for a Chelsea side in fine form, but Burnley held on before equalising with 11 minutes to play.
Thomas Tuchel’s defence were caught out with a simple ball over the top, which Jay Rodriguez sent to Vydra who tapped in the equaliser with ease.
The Blues were looking to win five successive league games for the first time under Thomas Tuchel and looked to be on course to do so and at least temporarily move five points clear at the summit when Kai Havertz scored 12 minutes before half-time.
But Chelsea remain without Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner in attack and conspired to miss a host of chances to extend their lead, opening the door for Burnley to respond.
Matej Vydra finished from close range nine minutes after arriving from the bench as Sean Dyche was rewarded for a late show of ambition, having previously looked content to keep the score down.
Struggling Burnley had been on the back foot from the outset and Callum Hudson-Odoi drew a sharp first stop from Nick Pope before crossing for Andreas Christensen to nod narrowly wide, the best of six Chelsea attempts in the opening 10 minutes.
Although the pace slowed a little, the home threat continued to come from the right flank and Reece James, as at Newcastle United last week, forged the breakthrough.
The right-back was not the scorer this time, but his second sublime centre – the first touched on by Charlie Taylor and turned away by Pope – landed on Havertz’s head for the opener.
James and Hudson-Odoi were at it again after half-time, teeing up presentable opportunities for Thiago Silva and Havertz respectively. Silva could only make contact with his shoulder and was denied by the post.
Pope stood up long enough to block from Hudson-Odoi in the box, before Ross Barkley blazed over, setting up a nervy finish.
Jay Rodriguez headed wide with Burnley’s first effort of note but showed composure to nod across goal for Vydra when he found himself in the same position again, with Chelsea unable to respond in the final 11 minutes.
What does it mean? Chelsea feel absence of attacking options
Chelsea had won their previous home league match 7-0 against Norwich City, and much of this contest followed the same pattern, with Burnley struggling to find a way out against their dominant hosts.
But Mason Mount, the hat-trick hero against the Canaries, only made the bench on his return from a tooth problem, while Lukaku and Werner remain out. Although Havertz scored, that was Chelsea’s only goal from 25 attempts worth 2.3 expected goals as they too often lacked the final touch.
James on top of his game
No player created more chances on Saturday than James’ five, including an assist that took him to seven goal involvements for the season – now trailing only Mohamed Salah (16), Michael Antonio (nine) and Jamie Vardy (eight).
The England man also attempted two shots but could not add to his tally of four goals, making this the first league game this term in which he has played for more than 45 minutes and failed to score.
Front men miss the mark
Chelsea’s front three each enjoyed moments, with Havertz scoring while Hudson-Odoi and Barkley joined James with five key passes apiece. But the trio also passed up their side’s best opportunities to add a second.
Havertz blasted high into the stands when picked out by Hudson-Odoi early in the second half; Barkley failed to hit the target with any of his four efforts; Hudson-Odoi twice found the excellent Pope his equal but might have done better with the rebound from his first shot.
What’s next?
After the international break, Chelsea return at Leicester City on November 20, the first match in a tricky run that then sees the Blues play Juventus and Manchester United. Burnley host Crystal Palace.
