When I discovered that James Ward-Prowse’s last free-kick goal came at Stamford Bridge – almost three years to the day – I had a feeling he might have a part to play in this encounter.
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He’s still yet to make his first league start for the Clarets following his January loan move from West Ham, but on Saturday he still managed to leave a lasting impression.
While he’s a direct replacement for the injured Josh Cullen, when you bring in a player of Ward-Prowse’s ability, you’re signing him for one reason above all: his quality in that magic right boot of his.
His career might have stalled a little in recent years, especially so since that £30m move to West Ham in August 2023, but at 31 he’s still got plenty to offer.
While Zian Flemming deserves plenty of credit for the timing of his run and the guidance of his header into the far corner, it’s absolutely nothing without the whip, speed and pure technique of Ward-Prowse’s delivery.
Deep into stoppage-time, the David Beckham-esque corner was met perfectly by Flemming, who did the rest to spark wild scenes of celebration in that away end neatly tucked into the corner of Stamford Bridge.
The only frustration is, Ward-Prowse delivered another corner every bit as good as the first one three minutes later - during the dying seconds of the game - but on this occasion the recipient, Jacob Bruun Larsen, headed agonisingly over. Can you imagine the scenes had that gone in?
Burnley players celebrate Zian Flemming's late equaliser against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Photo: Kelvin Lister-Stuttardplaceholder image
Burnley players celebrate Zian Flemming's late equaliser against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Photo: Kelvin Lister-Stuttard
Competitive
Burnley were well worthy of their point.
It looked like a long afternoon would be in store when Joao Pedro bundled home from close range after being teed up by Pedro Neto.
From Chelsea’s point of view it was an excellent goal as they moved from one end of the pitch to the other in a blink of an eye.
Martin Dubravka claims for handball after Joao Pedro puts Chelsea ahead. Photo: Kelvin Lister-Stuttardplaceholder image
Martin Dubravka claims for handball after Joao Pedro puts Chelsea ahead. Photo: Kelvin Lister-Stuttard
But from Burnley’s perspective, it was alarming how easily Moises Caicedo was able to navigate some space for himself in the middle of the park and, while his through-ball was perfectly weighted – he faced no pressure whatsoever and could have made the pass with his slippers on.
Joe Worrall, otherwise monstrous for the second game running, was a little too deep, playing Neto onside. Kyle Walker, who endured a tough first-half before being hooked off, also a result of illness according to his boss, couldn’t get close enough to Neto who had the simple task of playing the ball across the face of goal for Pedro to turn home, albeit he did his best to miss it.
At that point, the Clarets could easily have gone under. But, buoyed on by a fantastic away end, they stayed in the game before slowly, but surely working their way into things.
In fact, for the remainder of the first-half, Burnley were the better side in terms of territory and meaningful possession, they just lacked that little bit of guile and quality in the final third - and that’s where Ward-Prowse made the telling difference late on.
Marcus Edwards sends a free kick wide in the first half. Photo: Kelvin Lister-Stuttardplaceholder image
Marcus Edwards sends a free kick wide in the first half. Photo: Kelvin Lister-Stuttard
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The second-half, it has to be said, was worryingly one-sided for the most part. While a game always hangs in the balance the longer it remains 1-0, Chelsea emerged a far more threatening side after the restart having looked decidedly ordinary beforehand.
While this is the Burnley Express and not the Chelsea Express, I did find Chelsea’s obsession with playing out from the back a little odd given it was obvious to anyone in attendance – or for those watching on TV or a stream for that matter – that they were only inviting pressure and risking a mistake on more than one occasion. But I guess that’s the Liam Rosenior way.
Nevertheless, the home side were much more potent in the second half and Burnley had to hang in there a bit, but hang in they did and, if we’re being honest, Martin Dubravka had no meaningful save to make all afternoon long.
The obvious turning point in the game came in the 72nd minute when Wesley Fofana crunched into the aforementioned Ward-Prowse while already on a booking, earning him an early bath.
Parker, at the time, was readying a double change, with Florentino Luis and Bruun Larsen both stripped and readied for a six five or six minutes. But the red changed the whole dynamic of the game and it was only Bruun Larsen that entered the fray, before later being joined by Loum Tchaouna and Ashley Barnes as the Clarets took off the shackles.
James Ward-Prowse made a telling difference during his cameo off the bench. Photo: Kelvin Lister-Stuttardplaceholder image
James Ward-Prowse made a telling difference during his cameo off the bench. Photo: Kelvin Lister-Stuttard
While Burnley advanced, Chelsea retreated. Surprisingly so. Again, not to focus too much on Chelsea, but Rosenior’s decision to introduce the land of the giants off the bench and bring on every 6ft 5ins centre-back at the club seemed an unnecessarily rash and paranoid decision – and it backfired, because none of them were anywhere to be found as Flemming surged to meet Ward-Prowse’s corner and power his header past Robert Sanchez.
It was the exact moment of quality Burnley have lacked this season. Many will suggest the Clarets have also lacked fight and a willingness to go at teams, but Brighton and Sunderland aside, I’d argue Parker’s team have shown no shortage of effort or application this season. It’s just been about levels.
I’m not suggesting Ward-Prowse is the answer to all of their ills either, it’s one assist during a 30-minute cameo after all. But boy, it does help.
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