Premier League round-up as Chelsea bottle Burnley, Villa and Leeds draw and Brighton land big win
Brighton finally got back to winning ways this afternoon, ending a frustrating six-match run without a victory by beating Brentford away from home.
The Seagulls hadn’t scored since their draw with Everton back on 31st January, so this result will come as a huge relief for boss Fabian Hurzeler.
Diego Gomez broke the deadlock after Ferdi Kadioglu’s stunning long-range strike crashed against the bar, with the midfielder calmly finishing from the rebound.
Danny Welbeck doubled the advantage before half-time, benefiting from a dreadful clearance by Nathan Collins, who’d only just come on for the injured Aaron Hickey.
Brighton landed a commanding win in James Milner’s record-breaking appearance
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It was also a historic day for 40-year-old James Milner, who made his 654th Premier League appearance to surpass Gareth Barry’s all-time record.
Over at Villa Park, Tammy Abraham marked his return to Aston Villa with a crucial late goal to salvage a draw against Leeds.
The striker, who came back to the club in an £18.2m move from Besiktas at the end of January, used his knee to flick home after Ezri Konsa won a knockdown from a corner in the 88th minute.
Leeds had looked set for only their second away league win of the campaign thanks to Anton Stach’s brilliant 30-yard free-kick in the 31st minute, which caught Emiliano Martinez off guard and flew into the top corner.
Villa dominated after falling behind, with Karl Darlow making superb saves to deny Amadou Onana and push Emiliano Buendia’s effort onto the post before Abraham finally found a way through.
Tammy Abraham scored his first Villa goal in the 1-1 draw against Leeds
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At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea supporters made their feelings clear by booing the team off after yet another lead slipped away.
Joao Pedro had given Liam Rosenior’s side an early advantage, and they looked comfortable pushing for a second goal.
Then came the familiar problem – Wesley Fofana received a second yellow card for a studs-up challenge on James Ward-Prowse, leaving Chelsea down to ten men for the eighth time this season.
Tosin was fortunate not to join him in the dressing room after shoving Zian Flemming.
But Flemming got his revenge in the most dramatic fashion, rising unmarked to power home a header from a corner deep into stoppage time.
It’s now three promoted sides who’ve fought back for points at Stamford Bridge this season, following Sunderland and Leeds earlier in the campaign.
The results leave Brighton sitting pretty, now 10 points clear of the relegation zone after their much-needed win at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Chelsea conceded a last-gasp equaliser to Burnley
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Brentford, meanwhile, missed their chance to break into the top six.
Villa stay third in the table, seven points adrift of leaders Arsenal, who face Tottenham in the North London derby tomorrow.
Unai Emery’s side would have drawn level with second-placed Manchester City had they managed all three points.
Chelsea star Wesley Fofana was sent off, giving Burnley the impetus to take control of the match
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Chelsea climb to fourth despite their late collapse, though their supporters clearly aren’t happy about the manner of the dropped points.
As for Burnley, they remain second from bottom but this battling point keeps their survival hopes alive – they’re now eight points from safety.
