Rosenior rues lack of incision as complacent Chelsea count the cost of battling Clarets' late leveller

Stamford Bridge

Chelsea 1 Burnley 1

Liam Rosenior is beginning to discover the margins for error apply not just to players but for head coaches. Even those who have made a reasonably good start to life at Chelsea.

Failure to see off relegation-threatened Burnley has revealed lapses in concentration around his squad. An early goal by Joao Pedro should have been the precursor to a satisfactory afternoon all round in west London. Basic sustenance.

Instead, for all Chelsea’s possession, not enough major chances were created. That gave Burnley, as conservative going forward as they were for the majority of this humdrum meeting, the encouragement to go for it late on, in the slipstream of a recklessly induced red card for Wesley Fofana in the 72^nd minute.

Pedro’s 11th Premier League goal of the season, on the surface, appeared sufficient for the Blues to eke out a rudimentary win over Scott Parker’s side. In the end a collective complacency cost the hosts two points in their bid to establish a creditable top four place.

That lack of focus in added time provided a vital leveller for the Clarets, when Zian Flemming powered home a header, just when it seemed most unlikely. But this was a salutary lesson for a supposed leading club with Champions League pretensions. Even for World champions, it isn’t over until it’s over.

It transpires that the Blues have moved up one place to fourth, but only above nearest rivals Manchester United on goal difference. United are not in action until Monday when they travel to face Everton.

Statistically, does this count as ‘progress’? Hardly.

Chelsea have now conceded 17 points from winning positions at home in 2025-26. The home fans were rarely entertained.

Dazed

This was the second successive home league draw for the Londoners, after a stalemate against Leeds United eleven days ago. Chelsea’s players trudged around the Stamford Bridge pitch somewhat dazed in the moments after the final whistle. Some of their younger players, such as Andrey Santos, are discovering the penalties for switching off at this level.

A point gained for Burnley, meanwhile, keeps their survival hopes alive. The Turf Moor outfit remain five points from safety. And while the remaining eleven games, which includes facing the top two, Arsenal and Manchester City, will ask a lot of them there is still hope for the Clarets.

Hope versus complacency.

“We lacked incision - I wanted wave after wave of attack”, said Chelsea chief Rosenior.

“When you only have one goal anything can happen and the ten men encouraged them.

“The last two home games, have been disappointing from winning positions. It’s not good enough for a team at our level. I’m learning about the players and we need to see a game out.”

The west Londoners made the best start possible against the embattled visitors from Lancashire, who arrived in the capital in 19^th place. Indeed, Burnley boss Parker had never guided a team, whether the Clarets or previous club Fulham, to victory over the Blues. Yet he was, naturally, happy with a point.

“I’m really proud of the group and I couldn’t have asked much more” said former Chelsea midfielder Parker. “The players have shown a real resilience against a level of quality and we grew into the game until the equaliser.

“The pressure has increased for us tenfold, for a young group, but their resilience is incredible, We keep fighting and keep coming. Chelsea are an unbelievable team but we did well against them today”.

With just four minutes on the clock, Chelsea, with Cole Palmer back in the team, demonstrated the notable, theoretical, gulf in quality between the sides.

Picking up Moises Caicedo’s precise, raking pass down the left, Pedro Neto’s low cross evaded three Clarets’ defenders, before Pedro bundled the ball into the net from close range. It really was a work of some simplicity and an open clue in relation to Burnley’s ongoing deficiencies.

Thanks to his usual roving commission, the impressive Palmer was causing havoc early on as the Blues were determined to double their lead. However, not for the first time this term, he faded, as Rosenior continues to manage his game time.

The closest Chelsea came to adding to their lead in a forgettable first half was due to an error by Kyle Walker, who let Palmer in via an error in 37 minutes from a long clearance. However, Burnley keeper Martin Dubravka made a smart save from the England internationals’ low drive.

The second half was as stodgy as the first. Chelsea lacking incision, their unconvincing efforts echoed by the lukewarm atmosphere around Stamford Bridge.

Urgency

Presumably, Rosenior had asked his men for more urgency and accuracy in and around the visitors’ penalty area, in order to kill off what was expected to be a routine affair. The normal intricacies involving the likes of Neto, Pedro and Palmer in the final third were all there, but Burnley’s rearguard remained solid.

Yet, a header over the bar from close range by Pedro following a corner only momentarily lifted audience levels. This, after 65 minutes had elapsed told of just how stuffy things were transpiring to be.

Although the Blues had the advantage, the turgid nature of the afternoon eventually led to frustration – with Fofana paying the price in the 72^nd minute.

The defender went in late on Burnley substitute James Ward-Prowse in an innocuous position half way inside the visitors’ half. The red card brandished by referee Lewis Smith was not something for debate whatsoever.

“There are too many red cards but in my time with the group the discipline has been okay”, insisted Rosenior.

With an extra man for the final stages, the Lancastrians were, on Parker’s instruction, able to move more freely into dangerous areas.

Rosenior was, as the minutes elapsed, presumably just keen to keep what he had. Yet the single goal advantage was spiked in dramatic style two minutes into added time.

Ward-Prowse flighted in a corner, which Flemming met superbly from eight yards out, heading the ball low into the corner of the net. With four defenders surrounding the forward it was a particularly disappointing equaliser to concede from a Chelsea viewpoint, in addition to the sheer dramatic timing of it.

On this evidence, the Blues will unquestionably need to sharpen up ahead of their visit to league leaders Arsenal next Sunday. Rosenior knows that as much as any supporter who switched off.

Blues: Sanchez, James (Acheampong 83), Fofana, Chalobah, Gusto (Hato 79), Caicedo, Santos , Palmer (Tosin 73), Fernandez, Neto (Sarr 87), Pedro (Delap 79)