Liam Rosenior acknowledged the need to evaluate which players he can depend on after Chelsea suffered a setback, having Wesley Fofana sent off before conceding two points in the dying moments of a 1-1 draw with Burnley.
The Blues had taken charge early on, with João Pedro scoring in the fourth minute at Stamford Bridge. However, after being reduced to 10 men in the second half, they fell back into a defensive posture.
A Burnley equalizer seemed inevitable, and it came when Zian Flemming skillfully evaded his marker to head in from a corner.
Despite having four central defenders on the field at that moment, none were near Flemming as he connected with James Ward-Prowse‘s cross. Rosenior later criticized one of his players for misjudging the marking.
This incident contributed to an unflattering assessment of a performance that echoed their previous failure to finish off Leeds when they led 2-0 at home. Fofana’s red card, received for a late tackle on Ward-Prowse resulting in a second yellow, highlighted ongoing disciplinary issues in the team.
“The collapse wasn’t solely Wesley’s fault,” Rosenior stated regarding the team’s performance. “From the time we scored our first goal, we lacked the necessary urgency despite having control of the game. I want us to generate continuous attacking pressure, but we were too cautious with our possession.”
“We were aware that Ward-Prowse’s presence meant set plays were their biggest threat. We went as large as we could, understanding that was their only viable path to scoring with 10 men. Yet we still failed to defend effectively.”
“We’ve let slip four points in two home matches. For a club of our stature, it’s unacceptable to say we were the superior team.”
“I’m discovering more about my players and who I can rely on during difficult moments when we need to secure a win. This is something that needs addressing immediately.”
Chelsea initially started strong, with João Pedro stretching to redirect Pedro Neto‘s cross, albeit with his thigh, past Martin Dúbravka amidst a crowd of players.
Despite dominating play, Chelsea failed to adequately test Dubravka, allowing Flemming’s late header to leave them with a familiar sense of regret.
“We need players we can count on to perform under pressure,” Rosenior remarked. “Defensive set plays are crucial in the Premier League. Our current record for defending them this season is unacceptable for our ambitions.”
“I understand what we need to improve, and it’s not just about youth. It’s essential to evaluate the players who can be counted on during tough times.”
A point gained for Scott Parker’s side brought them within eight points of Nottingham Forest in 17th place, with an opportunity to secure more had Jacob Bruun Larsen converted a free header in the closing moments.
“I felt a bit let down to miss such a significant chance at the end,” Parker expressed. “I couldn’t ask for much more from the team. They displayed great resilience after going down early against such a talented opponent. We gradually found our footing in the game.”
“The quality from Ward-Prowse was outstanding—he’s truly a specialist with set plays.”
Burnley also condemned the online racist abuse aimed at midfielder Hannibal Mejbri following the match.
The club confirmed they reported the matter to Instagram’s parent company, Meta, as well as to the Premier League and the police.
An official statement read: “Everyone at Burnley FC is appalled by the online racist abuse directed at Hannibal after today’s Premier League match. There is no place for this in our society, and we categorically condemn it.”
“Hannibal will receive unwavering support from the Club and the Burnley fans, who have already voiced their disapproval of the abuse. Racism has no place here.”