Soccer
10:36, 23-Apr-2019
EPL: Chelsea up to top four after frustrating Burnley draw
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Chelsea moved up to fourth in the Premier League after a chaotic 2-2 draw against Burnley, but the sloppy display did little to enhance their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.
Jeff Hendrick gave Burnley an early lead with a crisp volley before N'Golo Kante and Gonzalo Higuain put the home side 2-1 ahead by the 14th minute. However, Ashley Barnes drew the visitors level 10 minutes later.
On a frustrating night for Chelsea, Callum Hudson-Odoi ruptured his Achilles tendon and Kante picked up a rib injury.
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri argues on the sidelines during the game between Chelsea FC and Burnley FC in London, United Kingdom, April 22, 2019. /VCG Photo
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri argues on the sidelines during the game between Chelsea FC and Burnley FC in London, United Kingdom, April 22, 2019. /VCG Photo
Chelsea's frustration at failing to claim all three points boiled over when referee Kevin Friend sent Chelsea coach Maurizio off after the Italian coach became embroiled in a scuffle among players on the touchline in the dying moments.
“You can understand he is frustrated about the game,” said Chelsea assistant coach Gianfranco Zola, who stood in for Sarri in the post-match news conference.
Zola said Sarri had sought to get his players out of the scuffle but the referee “misinterpreted it; we are very unhappy about it.”
Zola added Sarri had been offended by a comment from the Burnley bench.
David Luiz of Chelsea (R) and Ashley Barnes of Burnley talk after the game in London, United Kingdom, April 22, 2019. /VCG Photo
David Luiz of Chelsea (R) and Ashley Barnes of Burnley talk after the game in London, United Kingdom, April 22, 2019. /VCG Photo
Meanwhile, Chelsea defender David Luiz accused Burnley of playing “anti-football” by wasting time and employing negative tactics.
Without a win in their last two league games, Chelsea climb one point above fifth-placed Arsenal to sit level on points with third-placed Tottenham.
After Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Arsenal all lost at the weekend, Chelsea had an opportunity to tighten their grip on the Premier League's top four places.
Now Arsenal can replace Chelsea in fourth if they avoid defeat at Wolves on Wednesday.
Chelsea are fighting to avoid missing out on Champions League qualification for a second consecutive season, which hasn't happened since Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003.
(With inputs from AFP and Reuters)