Troy Deeney: The ‘horrible’ thing Zian Flemming did to get Wesley Fofana sent off
Troy Deeney has claimed that Wesley Fofana’s red card against Burnley was likely prompted by Zian Flemming’s performance.
The Frenchman was shown a second yellow card for a late challenge on James Ward-Prowse at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, leaving Chelsea to defend their narrow lead with just 10 men.
Burnley fought back and found the equaliser in stoppage time when Flemming himself nodded past Robert Sanchez.
Fofana‘s red card is the latest in a long line of disciplinary failures for the Blues this season, which have cost them time and time again.
Chelsea have had six red cards in the Premier League this season, at least two more than any other team.
Troy Deeney hails ‘horrible’ Zian Flemming
It has been a difficult few weeks for Chelsea and Liam Rosenior, with the race for Champions League football complicated by disappointing results at Stamford Bridge.
Earlier this month, the Blues dropped a two-goal lead at home against Leeds United, and Saturday’s game showed that no lesson had been learned.
Joao Pedro’s early goal had them ahead within four minutes, but Rosenior’s side failed to capitalise on their momentum.
| Chelsea | Match stats | Burnley |
| 66% | Possession | 34% |
| 12 | Shots | 12 |
| 2 | Shots on target | 4 |
| 1.99 | Expected goals (xG) | 0.85 |
| 9 | Corners | 5 |
Chelsea still looked comfortable going into the final stages of the game, however, but Fofana put an end to that when he inexplicably raced up the pitch and dove in to challenge for the ball.
The Frenchman ultimately got nowhere near it, instead stamping down on the foot of the Burnley midfielder.
Referee Lewis Smith was left with no choice but to produce a second yellow card, and Fofana made the walk for a decision that left Chelsea fans aghast.
Deeney named Flemming in his BBC Sport team of the week, and has suggested that he may know why the Chelsea man lost his head.
“He was horrible, he was beating people up, making little fouls, and was a real nuisance,” wrote the former Watford striker.
“He was doing it to the point where Chelsea were getting so frustrated, he was probably part of the reason why Wesley Fofana got sent off.”
How long will Fofana be suspended for?
Fofana could have chosen a better game to be suspended for, with Chelsea set to take on Premier League leaders Arsenal on Sunday.
The centre-back will serve just a one-game ban as it is his first red card of the season, and it was for two bookable offences.
He should return for next week’s trip to Aston Villa, with the upcoming games set to be massive for Rosenior and Chelsea.
With Man United in great form and Liverpool starting to produce results as well, the Blues risk falling out of the race for the Champions League completely.