Going Close - Billy Hamilton puts a header just wide after a centre from Leighton James. Peter Higgs reported on Burnley's visit to Chelsea, where they bounced back from the previous week's 3-0 defeat by Queen's Park Rangers, and could have pulled off a surprise result against promotion chasing Chelsea. But Chelsea went back to the top of the Second division with a result they did not deserve and Burnley plunged deeper into the relegation mire. Chelsea did not look promotion material at all whilst the Clarets were unrecognisable as the team which lost the previous week. The only change was Martin Busby replaced Richard Overson in mid-field where his composed skills set up numerous promising attacks in the first half. With Joe Jakub in particular working hard to break up Chelsea's attacks, the first half could not have gone better. with Burnley taking the lead in the 25th minute when Busby scored from 12 yards after good play by Arins and Jakub. By half-time Stevenson had been tested only once.
At the start of the second half Burnley came close to increasing their lead before Chelsea equalised in the 50th minute. As the dangerous Clive Walker was challenged by Paul Dixon the ball fell to veteran Ron Harris who scored, with Stevenson stranded. Burnley have been known to fade in such circumstances but this time they came back strong, with penetrating attacks by James and Hamilton producing good chances. These escapes proved crucial to Chelsea who then came back in the last 15 minutes and finished on top with a goal in the 77th minute when a pass from new man Colin Viljoen enabled Langley to outrun Overson and score. Chelsea then found their confidence and only fine saves by Stevenson prevented a third and undeserved goal. The report mentions many good performances by the Burnley team, with everything being right except the result. Tragically relegation seemed inevitable after the most encouraging performance of the season.
Teams: Chelsea : Borota, Wilkins, Pates, Nutton, Rofe, Britton, Harris, Viljoen, Fillery, Langley, Walker Sub. Chivers (not used). Burnley: Stevenson, Arins, V. Overson, Smith, Busby, Jakub, Cavener, Hamilton, James. Sub. Robertson (not used). Ref. Mr. S. Bates of Bristol, attendance 16,188.