- Cahill sent off early
- Vokes nabs brace
- Ward scores stunner
- Morata subs on, scores, assists
Reigning champions Chelsea posted an absolutely miserable first half performance reminiscent of 2015-16, and Burnley held on against the 10- and then 9-man Blues for a 3-2 win at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Alvaro Morata’s entry into the game absolutely flipped the script for Chelsea. He scored off a Willian assist and then helped David Luiz to a goal with five minutes to play.
Chelsea controlled the first 13 minutes, but saw a major obstacle in the 14th minute when Gary Cahill went studs up into Steven Defour. Little contact was made, but intent was enough for a sending off.
Antonio Conte had to bring off Jeremie Boga, and Andreas Christensen took a spot in the back three, leaving Chelsea with Antonio Rudiger, Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Christensen, and Marcos Alonso as backs.
Soon after, Vokes had a goal called offside.
His second chance would stand, as he chopped a half volley past the mark of David Luiz and the dive of Thibaut Courtois. 1-0 and up a man for Sean Dyche‘s visitors.
That wouldn’t be the end of the harsh vibes at the Bridge, and Stephen Ward scored a goal Burnley fans will never forget when he laced a gorgeous shot from an unlikely and tight angle to make it 2-0.
Vokes made it 3-0 at the break, and Conte was fuming. Chelsea was stunned.
The Blues didn’t come pouring out of the gates, either, though the hour mark saw a decent chance and shouts for a penalty as Burnley got extra chippy. Alvaro Morata made his debut, and was chopped down for a yellow card by Ben Mee in the 64th minute.
Turns out Morata can play, and his diving header met a classy bit of playmaking from Willian to make it 3-1 in the 69th minute.
Morata was a half-yard offside when he slid to tap home a Christiansen cross that could’ve made it 3-2 in the 73rd.
Chelsea went down to nine men via a red card to Fabregas with about 10 minutes to go. That didn’t stop the Blues from making it 3-2, as Morata flicked onto Luiz for a cool finish.
