Chelsea drew 2-2 with Burnley in Monday's Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge, with all four goals being scored in the opening 24 minutes of the match.
Jeff Hendrick opened the scoring for the visitors with a volley from outside of the box, which was cancelled out by goals from N'Golo Kante and Gonzalo Higuain in the space of six minutes.
The Blues were denied all three points by a close-range finish from Ashley Barnes, though, as they failed to truly trouble opposition keeper Tom Heaton in the remainder of the contest.
Relive how the 90 minutes of action unfolded with Sports Mole's live text coverage below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Premier League meeting between Chelsea and Burnley at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues booked a place in the semi-finals of the Europa League last week and attention no turns back to the top flight.
Results went Chelsea's way over the weekend as top-four rivals Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Manchester United all suffered defeats, meaning that a point today will be enough to lift them into third place.
Burnley, meanwhile, may possibly need one more point from their remaining four matches to make certain of safety.
CHELSEA TEAM NEWS!
STARTING XI: Kepa; Azpilicueta, Luiz, Christensen, Emerson; Kante, Jorginho, Loftus-Cheek; Hudson-Odoi, Higuain, Hazard
SUBS: Caballero, Barkley, Pedro, Kovacic, Giroud, Zappacosta, Cahill
BURNLEY TEAM NEWS!
STARTING XI: Heaton; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor; Hendrick, Westwood, Cork, McNeil; Barnes, Wood
SUBS: Hart, Gudmundsson, Brady, Gibson, Ward, Vydra, Long
KICKOFF: Chelsea show four changes from their Europa League clash with Slavia Prague four days ago, bringing in Jorginho, Loftus-Cheek, Hudson-Odoi and Higuain. Burnley, who are unchanged for the third game running, get us underway here!
SAVE! Azpilicueta gets forward down the right and sends in a cross that deflects into the side-netting for a Chelsea corner. Hazard's delivery is cleared back into his path, and he manages to get a powerful shot in from an angle that is too hot for Heaton to handle.
Hazard was a major fitness doubt for today's match and he is not exactly moving freely early on. It says it all about the importance of each of Chelsea's remaining league games that Sarri was unable to leave his star man out today.
OFF THE LINE! Chelsea have been on top since the first whistle. The Blues have had just one sight of goal so far, though - Hazard's angled drive early on that Heaton struggled to keep hold of. Make that two sighs of goal! Hazard lifts the ball over for Higuain, who in turn lifts it over Heaton, but Mee is able to hook it away off the line.
GOAL! CHELSEA 0-1 BURNLEY (JEFF HENDRICK)
Against the run of play, Burnley open the scoring through a sublime Hendrick goal! Following seven minutes of one-way traffic, the visitors win a corner and it is only cleared as far as an unmarked Hendrick on the edge of the box. The midfielder almost passes his volley into the bottom corner, picking his spot through a sea of bodies.
SAVE! Chelsea almost make an instant response to falling behind. Azpilicueta gets a shot on target but Heaton is equal to it down low. Hendrick has now scored three Premier League goals this season - his best scoring season in the competition.
GOAL! CHELSEA 1-1 BURNLEY (N'GOLO KANTE)
Normal service is resumed at Stamford Bridge as Kante levels up the match! Loftus-Cheek carries the ball forward and plays it into the feet of Hazard down the left. The Belgian turns Lowton inside out and tees up Kante to finish off the attack from 12 yards.
GOAL! CHELSEA 2-1 BURNLEY (GONZALO HIGUAIN)
What a game this is turning out to be!! Higuain exchanges passes with Azpilicueta in the box and absolutely thumps the ball past Heaton via the underside of the crossbar. Chelsea lead 2-1 and we have only played 15 minutes.
Kante has scored four goals in 34 Premier League games this season, one more than he netted in his previous three campaigns in the competition combined (106 apps). The other positive for Chelsea is that Higuain has clearly found his shooting boots at long last!
There were just six minutes and 14 seconds between Burnley opening the scoring and Chelsea taking the lead. Burnley's goal - a superb volley from Hendrick - came from their only real attack of the match so far. The Blues have otherwise been in control throughout.
CLOSE! Loftus-Cheek comes close with an effort that bends just wide of the target. Chelsea remain well on top and they are looking good value for a third goal. That early goal for Burnley may well have been the worst thing that could have happened for them!
Hazard has provided 13 assists in the Premier League in 2018-19, one more than he registered in his previous three seasons (12). The Belgian forward really is in fire, teeing up Kante for his side's opener with a brilliant set-up in front of goal.
GOAL! CHELSEA 2-2 BURNLEY (ASHLEY BARNES)
There is another twist in the tale as Burnley make it two goals from two set-pieces! Mee nods a deep free-kick across the six-yard box, Wood gets a small touch to it and Barnes is waiting unmarked to smash the ball into the roof of the net from close range.
That really was poor defending from Chelsea for that second Burnley goal, as it was for the visitors' first. A deflected cross lands at the feet of Jorginho, but the midfielder's shot is blocked. Chelsea have been left rattled by their opponents.
Barnes has scored 11 Premier League goals this season - the joint-most by a Burnley player in a single campaign in the competition (also Danny Ings in 2014-15). The Clarets have showed terrific fighting spirit in recent weeks and this point will be enough to keep them in the division for another year.
Hazard is left in too much space towards the left. The Belgian cuts inside and looks for the far corner with his curled attempt, which ends wide of the target. Burnley have scored through both of their attempts this evening.
SHOT! Higuain turns on the edge of the box and unleashes a rocket of a shot. There was plenty of power behind the shot but not enough precision as it ends in the stands. This first half has flown by - there are just 12 minutes to go.
YELLOW CARD! Burnley keeper Heaton is cautioned for what the referee feels was time-wasting over a goal kick.
Burnley fail to make the most of this latest set-piece. Chelsea clear their lines and break through Hudson-Odoi, whose shot/cross at the end of the move is well handled by Heaton at his near post. The Blues could do with a third goal before half time.
Tarkowski produces a superb block to get between Higuain's attempted shot and the goal, following a long ball forward from Luiz. This match has a nice balance to it as we approach the interval. It remains open and could still go either way.
Hudson-Odoi miscontrols the ball and then pulls up, seemingly clutching his heel. The youngster gets back to his feet but he is not moving freely. There is no Willian for Chelsea today but Pedro is among Sarri's back-up options.
CHELSEA SUB! Hudson-Odoi is unable to shake off that injury sustained a few minutes ago and he is forced to leave the field, potentially for the final time this season. Pedro is the player to come on in his place. Loftus-Cheek also looks to be limping a little.
Chelsea's high press pays off as possession is turned over. Higuain, full of confidence tonight, plays a brilliant pass into the path of Pedro, but the substitute is unable to control it inside the box. The hosts are threatening for a third.
Four minutes have been added on at the end of this action-packed first half. Chelsea have momentum on their side but they have not tested Heaton enough since Barnes levelled up the match 20 minutes ago. There is still time for another goal - or two, going by the first 24 minutes!
Hendrick catches Loftus-Cheek late and is perhaps fortunate to avoid a booking. The Chelsea midfielder is in a little pain but he looks as though he will be able to see out the remaining 60 seconds or so of the first half.
HALF TIME: CHELSEA 2-2 BURNLEY
An entertaining first half at Stamford Bridge comes to a close. Kante and Higuain struck to cancel out Hendrick's opener, but Barnes converted from close range to bring Burnley back on level terms. Chelsea have work to do in the remaining 45 minutes!
Maurizio Sarri made four changes to his starting lineup on the back of the victory over Slavia Prague here four days ago, a result that keeps Chelsea's campaign alive on two fronts, but it was one of those who retained his place in the side that had the first shot on goal. Eden Hazard's corner was cleared back into his path and his stinging shot was too hot for Tom Heaton to handle, though his defenders were able to help him out.
The Belgian forward then turned provider by lifting the ball over the Clarets' defence into the path of Gonzalo Higuain, who in turn lifted it over Tom Heaton, only for Ben Mee to hook the ball off the line. Having been penned in for the opening eight minutes, Burnley scored from their first attacking move as Jeff Hendrick volleyed a half-cleared corner into the bottom corner from 20 yards, picking his spot through a sea of bodies with a brilliant technique.
Chelsea needed just six minutes and 14 seconds to turn a one-goal deficit into a one-goal lead, though, thanks to N'Golo Kante's well-taken finish from 10 yards following some fine wing play from Hazard - turning Matt Lowton inside out - before Higuain thumped the ball past Heaton via the underside of the crossbar after exchanging passes with Cesar Azpilicueta for the Blues' second.
Just when Chelsea were closing in on a third goal, Burnley once again struck against the run of play through Ashley Barnes, who was left unmarked in front of goal to convert a free-kick after both Mee and Chris Wood had helped it into his path. Here is a reminder of both sides' benches at the midway point.
CHELSEA SUBS: Caballero, Barkley, Kovacic, Giroud, Zappacosta, Cahill
BURNLEY SUBS: Hart, Gudmundsson, Brady, Gibson, Ward, Vydra, Long
KICKOFF: Chelsea get us back up and running at Stamford Bridge! The Blues could really do with winning this game to take control of their top-four destiny. Sarri has brought on Kovacic for Kante at the interval.
The second half has started the same way the first half ended, with Chelsea the side on top. Dyche will not be too concerned with that, having seen his side net both of their goals against the run of play. This will be a massive point for the Clarets.
SAVE! Chelsea are a little too pedestrian with their passing at the moment, allowing Burnley to form a compact shape that is difficult to break down. That all changes in one move, though, as Hazard feeds the ball to Pedro, who tees up Higuain for a first-time shot on target that Heaton gets behind.
CHANCE! The second half has burst into life. Moments after Higuain's shot was saved by Heaton - a routine save, it should be said - Wood was given a chance to get a shot on goal with just Kepa to beat. The striker opts to cut inside and he is unable to get in a shot nor pick out a teammate.
Tarkowski slips but manages to recover brilliantly while on the floor. There is plenty of anxiety around the Stamford Bridge air as Chelsea supporters know they have a serious challenge on their hands over the remaining 35 minutes. Full credit to Burnley for that.
Tarkowski is in need of some treatment, breaking up this second half a little. Chelsea boss Sarri has already used two subs, both seemingly enforced, whereas Dyche still has all three available to use should he wish.
SHOT! Emerson takes a touch of the ball to settle himself and sends a bullet strike inches wide of the target. Chelsea have been the side on top in this second half but Heaton has not been tested often enough - the Blues need to find more of a cutting edge.
Chelsea get the ball forward but Heaton does enough to snuff out the danger after Loftus-Cheek miscontrols the ball. An hour has been played at Stamford Bridge and there has been no change to the scoreline since the 24th minute of the game.
Taylor sticks his arm across Pedro to stop the Chelsea forward from getting to a Luiz pass forward. Pedro got inside Taylor but he was never going to get to the ball, which must have worked in Taylor's favour - he may well have been off otherwise.
The game has gone very stale over the last 10 minutes, which will suit Burnley just fine. Sarri has one more change available to make and he may well be tempted to use it soon. Will it be Giroud or Barkley who comes on - if any...
Pedro is denied another free kick, this time under a challenge from Tarkowski. It is all becoming very frustrating for Chelsea as a ball goes behind for a goal kick and Heaton is given a chance to eat up more time.
Luiz goes right over Barnes to concede a needless free kick, which Chelsea have not defended all that well tonight. On this occasion, the ball is knocked down by a home player and Higuain gets it clear. The ball comes back in and Kepa collects.
SAVE! Azpilicueta makes the most of some sloppy defending from McNeil, who switched off in the box. The Chelsea full-back's shot was powerful but Heaton was equal to it at his front post. Chelsea are starting to build some momentum once again.
Chelsea win a corner, which Hazard sends into a perfect zone for Heaton to gather. The Blues are running out of time and ideas. There have been three shots on target in this second half, two of those for the home side.
Barnes is down receiving some treatment, eating up yet more valuable seconds. Dyche has surprisingly held off from making any changes - the Burnley boss has a settled XI and clearly has full faith in them seeing the job through.
SAVE! Chelsea are looking very flat in the final third - Sarri could really do with making another change. Luiz has a go from range but it is a simple one for Heaton to deal with. Burnley are not exactly holding on at the moment.
CHELSEA SUB! Giroud, who has found the net regularly in the Europa League this season, comes on for Higuain in a like-for-like change up top. Higuain was brilliant in the first half but he has dropped off in the second.
A decent cross is sent into the ball but a Burnley player gets to it first. Hazard works the angle to get another cross in the middle but Heaton watches the ball all the way and gathers it to take the pressure off his defenders.
Mee gets on the end of this latest cross into the box. It is all very predictable from Chelsea at the moment and they do not really look as though they are going to score. Kovacic swings the ball to the back post and Loftus-Cheek heads it back across the six-yard box to nobody in particular.
Chelsea have had 77% of the ball but it remains 2-2 with six minutes of normal time to play. Emerson gets clear down the left and wins a corner for his side, which Hazard swings in for a Burnley player to head away.
Burnley's centre-backs are getting on the end of everything. The finish line is in sight for Burnley but Chelsea are putting together wave after wave of attacks. Dyche, amazingly, has held off from making any substitutions.
It has been five minutes since the ball left Burnley's half of the field - that is a pretty incredible stat, summing up how this second half has panned out. Chelsea win another corner through Giroud, which Christensen cannot turn home. McNeil is now down with an injury.
Burnley win themselves a free kick to finally relieve the pressure that has been constantly growing. The visitors waste it, though, as it is worked towards the corner and Chelsea win it back - it should have gone into the area.
Five minutes have been added on at Stamford Bridge, the first two of which have already been played. This has been a very brave performance form Burnley, but they are not over the line just yet. One last push is needed!
YELLOW CARD! Pedro stops a Burnley counter from developing and is shown the second yellow card of the contest. Burnley are two minutes away from a massive point that will allow Dyche to start planning for another season of Premier League football.
It appears as though Chelsea boss Sarri has been sent to the stands for the final seconds of the match. The Italian was not happy with a decision and he let his anger boil over. "Sacked in the morning", chant the travelling Burnley fans.
FULL TIME: CHELSEA 2-2 BURNLEY
Chelsea missed out on the chance to move into third place in the Premier League as they played out a 2-2 draw with Burnley in Monday's Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge.
All four goals were scored in the opening 24 minutes of the match, as Jeff Hendrick opened the scoring for the visitors with a volley from outside of the box, which was cancelled out by goals from N'Golo Kante and Gonzalo Higuain in the space of six minutes.
The Blues were denied all three points by a close-range finish from Ashley Barnes, though, failing to truly trouble opposition keeper Tom Heaton in the remainder of the contest.
That concludes Sports Mole's live text updates of events from West London. Thanks for joining our coverage today!
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