Chelsea drop points against Burnley

Sports Desk, Nov 6 (EFE).- Premier League leaders Chelsea had to settle for a 1-1 draw Saturday against 18th-place Burnley, who exploited the Blues’ lack of finishing to come away from Stamford Bridge with what could prove to a crucial point.

The London side remain in first with 26 points, but defending champions Manchester City are just 3 points behind in second place after besting United in the derby, while Liverpool can improve to 25 points with a win Sunday against West Ham United.

Chelsea had 70 percent possession and outshot the Clarets 25-5, yet the Blues felt the absence of injured striker Romelu Lukaku.

Only Kai Havertz managed to put the ball past Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope, scoring in the 33rd minute with a tremendous header off Reece James’ well-placed cross.

Thiago Silva hit the post for the home side in the 50th minute and Havertz sent his shot over the cross-bar on a great chance a few minutes later.

Pope also made some noteworthy stops, including one against Callum Hudson-Odoi.

With 11 minutes left in regulation, Jay Rodriguez directed the ball into the path of Matej Vydra, who beat Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy to make it 1-1.

It was only the fourth goal conceded by Mendy in the Premier League this season.

Joao Cancelo was involved in both Manchester City goals on Saturday as the Cityzens brushed aside a shambolic Manchester United at Old Trafford, piling more pressure on Red Devils coach Ole Gunnar Solskjær.

City, who dominated most of the game, got onto the scoreboard in the seventh minute, when Ivorian defender Eric Bailly turned a low cross from Cancelo into his own goal.

Pep Guardiola’s team struck again in the final minutes of the first half, as United defenders misjudged a cross from Cancelo and the City defender’s Portuguese countryman Bernardo Silva slipped the ball beyond David De Gea, who made key interventions to prevent the visitors from increasing their tally before the intermission.

United remain outside the top four after a fourth defeat in 11 Premier League matches, adding to the pressure on Solskjær.

The Norwegian has been repeatedly rescued by Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, who had only a couple of attempts on target Saturday. EFE msg/ta/dr