U23 REPORT: Burnley 2 Chelsea 2

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Clarets twice hit back to draw in entertaining finale at Turf Moor

2021-05-21T12:17:52.045Z

U23 REPORT: Burnley 2 Chelsea 2

Clarets twice hit back to draw in entertaining finale at Turf Moor

2021-05-21T12:17:52.045Z

Clarets twice hit back to draw in entertaining finale at Turf Moor

Bobby Thomas marked his return to a claret shirt with a goal as the Under-23s twice came from behind to earn a draw in the last game at Turf Moor this season.

Steve Stone gave his side a final test against a Chelsea side which had finished second to Manchester City in the top tier of Premier League 2.

And they came through it with a deserved reward thanks to an impressive performance capped by a second-half fightback.

U23 REPORT: Burnley 2 Chelsea 2 - Image 1

Goalless at the break following an even first 45 minutes, Chelsea – coached by former Burnley defender Jon Harley – twice took the advantage.

But Thomas – who finished the regular season by helping Barrow stay in the Football League during a successful loan spell with the Cumbrians – headed an initial equaliser.

And then after the Blues had regained the lead from the penalty spot, substitute Joel Mumbongo glanced home a second leveller as the Clarets’ pressure paid off.

The Clarets also had midfielder Adam Phillips back in their ranks following his loan spell at Accrington Stanley, along with a couple of trialists.

Chelsea, who also started with two trialists in their line-up, went ahead nine minutes after the break when defender George Nunn headed home from a corner.

Xavier Mbuymamba was then just off target with a similar effort and Thomas cleared from almost on the line from Bryan Fiabema.

But the Clarets then upped the tempo to take control.

Mumbongo could have equalised with a header from Anthony Glennon’s superb cross which hit keeper Lucas Bergstrom.

But it didn’t prove to be a costly miss as a second corner was to follow after Richard Nartey and Anthony Gomez-Mancini had seen goalbound efforts blocked and Thomas climbed highest at the far post to head powerfully in.

Under-23s draw 2-2 with Chelsea to sign off on a high note

Max Thompson then had an opportunity to sneak in at the back post and put Burnley ahead before Gomez-Mancini saw another effort blocked in front of goal as the Clarets dominated for a spell.

Against the run of play the Blues regained the lead with just under 20 minutes to go when Henry Lawrence converted from the penalty spot following a foul by ex-Chelsea defender Nartey.

But again Burnley responded well, Phillips delivering another fine cross which Mumbongo glanced inside the far post to finish the season on a high.

Burnley: Trialist; Trialist, Thomas, Nartey, Glennon; Thompson (Dodgson 83), Phillips, Gomez-Mancini, Tucker (Costelloe 65); Richardson (McGlynn 76), Harker (Mumbongo 60). Substitutes: Waller, Elva-Fountaine, Unwin, Armstrong, Trialist.

Chelsea: Bergstrom, Mbuymamba (Thomas 62), Trialist (Simeu 55), Trialist (McCelland 55), Nunn, Bate, Lawrence, Ballo, Fiabema (Frith 72), Vale, Peart-Harris (Trialist 85).