9-man Chelsea fall 2-3 to Burnley; Cahil, Fabregas see red

By The Rainbow
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  • 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.