lead, but Matic was sent off after the interval
and struggling Burnley took advantage to
snatch a shock point thanks to Ben Mee's
header nine minutes from full-time.
Blues boss Jose Mourinho may feel his side
were hard done by as they had three penalty
appeals turned down by referee Martin
Atkinson, while Matic's dismissal for retaliation
was sparked by a nasty tackle from Ashley
Barnes.
It was a depressing end to a troubled few days
for Chelsea, who could see their lead at the top
reduced to five points if Manchester City beat
Newcastle later on Saturday.
The club's pre-scheduled "game of equality"
came in the aftermath of the shocking incident
on the Paris Metro on Tuesday in which a black
man was blocked from getting on a train by
some of the club's supporters, who were
chanting a racist song.
Both captain John Terry and chairman Bruce
Buck asserted the club's commitment to anti-
racism campaigns in their programme notes
and some Chelsea fans also produced banners
denouncing racism.
But their attempt to move on was complicated
by reports that police are investigating
complaints that Chelsea supporters were
involved in more racist chanting on their return
from the Paris Saint Germain match at St
Pancras train station.
For 90 minutes at least, Chelsea could focus on
football and Juan Cuadrado offered the first
threat with a looping header that Tom Heaton
tipped over the bar.
Cuadrado was also instrumental to the home
side taking the lead after 14 minutes, even if
Ivanovic's goal was all about Eden Hazard's
sublime assist.
Having lost the ball near the by-line, Cuadrado
did well to win it back, before feeding the
Belgian.
Hazard then danced through the Burnley
defence, beating two players, and squared for
Ivanovic, who finished from close range for his
sixth goal of the season.
Chelsea could have been much further ahead
by half-time, as Burnley offered virtually no
threat of their own, but Atkinson waved away
two penalty claims.
For the first, Ivanovic powered a shot at goal,
only for it to strike Michael Kightly's hand.
The Burnley midfielder seemed to have his arm
stretched out, but Atkinson allowed play to
continue. Towards the end of the half, then,
Costa surged into the box but was pushed by
Michael Keane.
Costa probably didn't help his case by going
down easily, although there was a definite
shove from the defender.
The second half continued in much the same
vein, with Chelsea in total control, and also
having more claims for penalties.
Within minutes of the resumption, Filipe Luis
burst into the box, only to be felled by Kieran
Trippier. Again, Atkinson shook his head.
Chelsea almost made it 2-0 from the resulting
corner but Ivanovic couldn't quite get a good
enough touch on Costa's header.
Cuadrado was having a hugely productive game
and almost scored his first goal.
He slid in for a Hazard cross, only for Mee to
just about divert the ball away.
But in the 70th minute Matic was sent off for
serious foul play and after the midfielder
challenged Barnes, who somewhat dangerously
left his foot up, catching Matic on the shin.
The Serbian reacted furiously, confronting
Barnes, shoving him to the ground, and
Atkinson immediately showed the red card.
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