Dyche Plays Down Chelsea Row

Burnley boss Sean Dyche played down the ugly scenes that followed the 2-2 draw at Chelsea, saying it was just ‘handbags’.

Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger and Burnley goalkeeping coach Billy Mercer had to be separated by the officials at the final whistle, as a gripping encounter ended in ugly touchline scenes at Stamford Bridge.

David Luiz and Ashley Westwood then clashed as the teams left the field, but Dyche says he was too busy applauding the Burnley fans that had made the trip, to notice. “I think it was handbags, manbags, bumbags; I’m not sure what you’re supposed to call it these days,” Dyche quipped. “I didn’t see it as I was clapping our fans.

Related: Silva Relishing Title Pressure

I don’t think anything of it.” On a heated night, Chelsea head coach Maurizio Sarri was left incensed at being sent off and then claimed he was abused by the visiting coaching team.

Dyche however insisted Burnley played no role in Sarri’s red card, adding: “It wasn’t anything to do with us why he got sent off.”