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| Chelsea’s Pedro in action with Burnley’s Matthew Lowton |
BURNLEY 1 CHELSEA 1
Premier League leaders Chelsea moved 10 points clear at the top on Sunday despite being held by Burnley in an entertaining game played amid flurries of sleet and snow.
Pedro gave Chelsea an early lead from a pass by Victor Moses but the home side fought back well and equalised midway through the first half with a superb curling free kick by Robbie Brady, making his full debut.
Matt Lowton and Andre Gray missed good chances as Burnley sought to maintain their impressive home record, while the defence restricted Antonio Conteโs side who could have their lead cut to eight by Manchester City on Monday.
Burnley, promoted last season, moved up one place to 12th and fully deserved a point for their spirit and quality. They have earned 29 of their 30 points this season at home.
โWe must be a bit disappointed to take only one point,โ Chelseaโs manager Antonio Conte told Sky Sports.
โWe started well and kept the situation under control. We could have killed the game but it didnโt happen.โ
His team dominated possession but managed only two shots on target all match, the second of which was the goal.
It came in only the sixth minute from a classic counter-attack beginning with a throw-in deep in their own half. Pedro was involved before Eden Hazard found Moses in space on the right and his cross took out four defenders, allowing Pedro to beat goalkeeper Tom Heaton.
The equaliser was believed to be the first goal Chelsea had conceded from a direct free kick in four years.
Brady, a ยฃ13 million pound ($16.24 million) signing from Norwich City in January, curled his effort perfectly over the wall and into the top corner of the net from 20 metres.
Burnley could even have taken the lead when Thibaut Courtois had to save with his legs from full back Lowton.
In a quieter second half striker Gray also missed a good chance, shooting weakly at the goalkeeper.
The Lancashire side could not manage a first league win at home to Chelsea since 1983 but their supporters, players and manager were delighted with the performance.
โThe lads were excellent and it shows what theyโre about,โ goalscorer Brady told Sky Sports.
Manager Sean Dyche said the result was a reward for bravery.
โThe mentality is the main thing Iโm pleased with,โ he said.
โWe wanted to do what we do. For the first 20 minutes we couldnโt get it right, but I was super-impressed with the reaction to their goal.
โYouโre taking on a fine side and we limited them to two efforts on target.โ
SWANSEA CITY 2 LEICESTER CITY 0
Last seasonโs Premier League champions Leicester City were left in serious trouble on Sunday after defeat by improving relegation rivals Swansea City, who moved three points above them.
Leicester remained only one point above the bottom three places, having not won in 15 away games in the league since last April or scored in six league games this calendar year.
They fell behind to a fine volley by defender Alfie Mawson in the 37th minute.
Swedish full back Martin Olsson then scored his first goal for the Welsh club just before halftime.
