Ben Mee’s headed equaliser denied Chelsea a chance to extend their lead at the summit of the Premier League after a Branislav Ivanovic opener.
Ivanovic swept in Chelsea’s goal in the opening quarter- his fourth goal in his last six games in all competitions.
Nemanja Matic received a straight red for lashing out at Ashley Barnes after a tackle, leaving Chelsea with only ten men in the closing 20 minutes.
Mee headed in Burnley’s equaliser nine minutes from time as the Blues dropped point, while second-placed Manchester City await in the late kickoff to take advantage.
Chelsea made five changes to the side that beat Everton last time on the domestic front, with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, Filipe Luis, Cesc Fabregas, Oscar and Diego Costa all returning.
Burnley was as they were in the 3-1 defeat at Manchester United last week.
In the wake of their midweek misery in Paris where, despite an hoourable draw at the Parc des Princes, the racist conduct of few fans at the capital city Metro placed Chelsea in the eyes of the world, but the Premier League leaders were bent on putting those disappointments behind.
The home fans held anti-racism banner and where delighted with the start they were treated to when Ivanovic broke the deadlock in the 14th minute from Eden Hazard cross.
Hazard threaded a difficult path to the byline and then pulled back for the Serbian defender, who drilled home from close range.
Ivanovic had a penalty appeal for handball rejected by referee Martin Atkinson and much to the ire of the home fans, the referee waved play on after Jason Shackell appeared to push Costa over in the 45th minute.
Courtois was quick to deny Barnes’ dipping effort from long range after the break, however, Chelsea were not going to allow the Clarets back into the game.
The Blues poured forward for a second but the closing 21 minutes played against their luck. Chelsea had been coasting to a third straight league win until Matic lost his cool, prompting a melee after which the visitors snatched control of the game.
Barnes first came close to restoring parity, before Burnley plundered the equaliser when Mee leaped high between two defenders to nod home at the far post.
