PREMIER LEAGUE
London, Feb 21: A dramatic weekend of Premier League action delivered late equalisers, squandered advantages and timely revivals as the battle lines at both ends of the table grew sharper.
Burnley Capitalise as 10-Man Chelsea Falter
At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea once again found themselves haunted by familiar flaws. What began as a comfortable afternoon ended in frustration as Burnley struck deep into stoppage time to secure a 1-1 draw against a side reduced to 10 men.
The hosts set the tone early. Within four minutes, Joao Pedro bundled home from close range after meeting Pedro Neto’s driven cross, giving Chelsea the perfect start. The Blues controlled possession, pressed with intent and appeared poised to build on their advantage. Cole Palmer nearly punished a mistake from Kyle Walker near the halfway line but failed to lift his effort over Martin Dubravka, while further attempts were repelled by a determined Burnley defence.The visitors offered little before the interval, their clearest opportunity arriving from a corner awarded under the revised timekeeping rule after Robert Sanchez was penalised for holding the ball too long. Even then, Lesley Ugochukwu volleyed over.
Chelsea continued to probe after the restart. Joao Pedro saw another effort blocked and later headed wide from a corner as the home side searched for a second goal to settle nerves. Yet the turning point arrived in the 72nd minute when Wesley Fofana received a second yellow card, leaving Chelsea a man short and suddenly vulnerable.Momentum shifted almost immediately. Josh Laurent forced a save from Sanchez and Burnley began to sense opportunity. With Scott Parker introducing attacking reinforcements and Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior responding by bolstering his defence, the contest took on a frantic edge.In the 93rd minute, the breakthrough came. James Ward-Prowse delivered a precise corner and Zian Flemming rose unmarked to head beyond Sanchez, stunning the home crowd. Substitute Jacob Bruun Larsen nearly compounded Chelsea’s misery moments later, but the equaliser was enough.The result adds to a troubling pattern for Chelsea, who have now dropped 19 points from winning positions this season and collected more red cards than any other side in the division. They climb to fourth but squander a chance to close ground on Aston Villa. Burnley, meanwhile, remain second bottom, though the point keeps faint survival hopes flickering.
Abraham Rescues Villa as Leeds Hold Firm
At Villa Park, Aston Villa required late intervention to avoid disappointment against a resolute Leeds United. Substitute Tammy Abraham proved decisive, scoring his first Premier League goal since rejoining the club to secure a 1-1 draw.
Leeds had looked set for a rare away triumph after Anton Stach delivered a moment of brilliance in the 31st minute. From 30 yards, his free-kick deceived Emiliano Martinez, who appeared positioned for a cross but was caught off guard as the ball arrowed into the top corner.
Villa responded with urgency. Karl Darlow denied Amadou Onana before the break and later produced a superb one-handed save to tip Emiliano Buendia’s effort onto the post. The hosts dominated possession and territory, yet Leeds defended with discipline.
The breakthrough finally came in the 88th minute. From a corner, Ezri Konsa’s knockdown caused confusion and Abraham, alert and instinctive, flicked the ball into the net with his knee to salvage a point.
The draw keeps Villa third, seven points behind leaders Arsenal, though it underlines recent inconsistency — just five points collected from the last four matches. Leeds, for their part, edge further clear of the relegation zone and will take encouragement from a resilient display.
Brighton Reignite Season with Brentford Victory
Brighton ended a six-match winless league run in emphatic fashion, defeating Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium to relieve mounting pressure on manager Fabian Hurzeler.
The Seagulls had struggled for goals in recent weeks but rediscovered their cutting edge. After early chances for Jack Hinshelwood and Kaoru Mitoma, Ferdi Kadioglu’s long-range strike crashed against the bar, and Diego Gomez reacted quickest to slot home the rebound.
Brighton doubled their advantage before half-time. Nathan Collins, having just replaced the injured Aaron Hickey, misjudged a clearance from Hinshelwood’s low cross, allowing Danny Welbeck a straightforward finish.
Brentford threatened sporadically — Igor Thiago volleyed over and Vitaly Janelt fired wide — yet lacked their usual cohesion. Brighton, disciplined and assured, controlled proceedings even as possession evened out in the second half.
The afternoon also belonged to James Milner. The 40-year-old midfielder made his 654th Premier League appearance, surpassing Gareth Barry’s longstanding record, and was warmly applauded when he departed late on. (Agencies)
