Burnley became just the second side to leave Stamford Bridge unbeaten in the Premier League this season after drawing 1-1 with Chelsea on Saturday afternoon.

The league leaders had led 1-0 at the break thanks to Branislav Ivanovic’s fourth goal in his last six matches.

However, after midfielder Nemanja Matic had been sent-off with 20 minutes remaining, the visitors drew level through Ben Mee’s 81st-minute header.

And that result moves Chelsea eight points clear of Manchester City, although the champions can reduce that deficit with victory over Newcastle United at the Ethiad this evening.

Chelsea will feel, though, that this was two points dropped after dominating for most of the game, while manager Jose Mourinho will no doubt reflect on two strong penalty appeals in the first half that did not go their way.

However, in the end the home team were made to pay for not scoring the crucial second goal before Matic’s dismissal, while Burnley also deserve huge credit for keeping their star-studded opponents at bay for more than three-quarters of the contest.

It had appeared to be business as usual going in at half-time with Chelsea deservedly leading 1-0 courtesy of yet another key goal by their marauding right-back, although most of the credit must go to Eden Hazard.

The Belgium international somehow managed to weave his way past a posse of Burnley players on the right-hand side of the penalty area, before the impish playmaker then picked out an unmarked Ivanovic six yards out, with the Serb side-footing home his sixth goal of the season.

Chelsea could have extended their advantage before the interval had referee Martin Atkinson upheld two strong penalty appeals, the first when Michael Kightly blocked Ivanovic’s goal-bound drive with his arm.

Then in the final minute of the first half striker Diego Costa seemed to be hauled down by Burnley captain Jason Shackell as he sized up a shot on goal, only for the man in the middle to once again wave play on, much to Mourinho’s clear annoyance on the touchline.

However, Chelsea kept on pushing forward after the break in search of that crucial second goal to kill off the spirited visitors, only for Costa, twice, and Matic to narrowly fail to convert half chances.

And the game was then completely turned on its head after 70 minutes when Matic reacted furiously to a dangerous studs-high tackle on him by Burnley striker Ashley Barnes, with the holding midfielder pushing his opponent to the ground in a fit of anger.

Referee Atkinson had no choice but to issue Matic with a straight red card, with his compatriot Ivanovic also booked after trying to prevent the official for brandishing his card, although how Barnes managed to stay on the pitch is still a mystery.

The visitors, though, sensed the opportunity to draw level, and with nine minutes remaining Mee rose at the back post to head home Kieran Trippier's left-wing corner for just the full back’s second goal in the last three years.

Player ratings

Chelsea: Courtois (7) Ivanovic (8), Zouma (7), Terry (7), Filipe Luis (7); Matic (7), Fabregas (6); Cuadrado (6), Oscar (6), Hazard (9); Diego Costa (7)

Subs: Ramires (6), Drogba (6), Willian (6)

Burnley: Heaton (7); Trippier (7), Shackell (8), Keane (7), Mee (7); Boyd (7), Jones (6), Arfield (6), Kightly (6); Barnes (7), Ings (7)

Subs: Vokes (6)

Man of the match: Eden Hazard

Click Here For Official Team sheet

Teams

Chelsea Courtois, Ivanovic, Zouma, Terry (c), Luis (Drogba 86), Matic, Fabregas, Cuadrado (Willian 63), Oscar (Ramires 72), Hazard, Costa
Subs Not Used Cech, Cahill, Azpilicueta, Remy
Booked Ivanovic
Sent Off Matic
Goals Ivanovic 14

Burnley Heaton, Trippier, Keane, Shackell (c), Mee, Boyd, Arfield, Jones, Kightly (Vokes 79), Barnes, Ings
Subs Not Used Gilks, Ward, Duff, Reid, Wallace, Jutkiewicz
Booked Boyd, Kightly
Goals Mee 81

Attendance 41,629

Referee Martin Atkinson