It happened again for Chelsea - and perhaps the most damning situation of all is that you could see it coming a mile off.
Liam Rosenior's side threw away yet another lead at Stamford Bridge - this time dropping two points to second-bottom Burnley at home.
The Blues were dominating the game at 1-0 after Joao Pedro's opener but Wesley Fofana's red card caused instability. Then the Burnley pressure built until Zian Flemming headed in a stoppage-time leveller - and the Clarets missed more chances to win it.
Chelsea still go up to fourth - for now - but this was a huge opportunity missed, given the tough fixtures Rosenior's side have coming up. More on that below.
And while Rosenior rebuffed questions around the side's mentality, he did note Chelsea have five big problems right now:
In a passionate press conference where Rosenior outlined all his teams problems, read all of these issues analysed below....
Giving up commanding positions in games
After Sunderland and Leeds came from behind to win and draw, respectively, Burnley have completed the set for promoted sides battling back for rewards at Stamford Bridge. Crucial points Chelsea could count the cost of come the end of the season.
It's now 17 points Chelsea have dropped from winning positions at home - only once, in 1995/96 (20) have they thrown away more. They'd be top of the table with those points on their tally.
ROSENIOR SAYS: "What has happened with me is we have set fire to four points from two home games. Anyone watching the game, it's not good enough for a club of this level.
"It's not good enough for me to come and say we were the better team. We need to be the better team in every game. We need to win games of football.
"I know what the answer is and we will address it in the week. There's an inquest after every game, whether we win or lose.
"I'm learning about the players. I'm learning about the people you can lean on when things aren't going your way and you need to see a game out. That's something we need to address very quickly."
Wrong decisions made in attack
Throwing away leads is not just a defensive responsibility, it was an attacking one.
After going ahead against Burnley through Pedro's early opener, Chelsea were in complete control of the game. In the second half, Burnley failed to manage a shot until the red card.
That's despite Cole Palmer getting into good areas of the pitch but his touch let him down on multiple occasions. He even had a one-on-one in the first half that went begging - in the same end where he missed an open goal against Leeds.
Chelsea ended up with an xG of 1.88, highlighting how they should have got a second goal.
ROSENIOR SAYS:" From the first goal, we lacked incision when we had control. I want incision. I want us to create wave after wave of attack.
"We were too safe in our possession.- When you give a team, any team, a one-goal advantage, anything can happen. I think the frustration is more the last two home games, from being in winning positions and being in control of the game, to not win the two games.That's the biggest frustration. It's not a blame on an individual.
Red cards
It doesn't help when you've had eight red cards across all competitions. It's six in the Premier League and one more will break a club record.
The last time a Premier League team had this many red cards across all competitions was in 2015/16 - when West Ham dropped out of the top-four race and finished seventh. It's a real possibility for this Chelsea team.
ROSENIOR SAYS: "That wasn't on Wes, [against Burnley].
"That was an unfortunate red card for Wesley who steps on a challenge. I felt there was something that could have been dealt with better before that happened by the referee and went unnoticed.
"But you're going to get red cards. It's too many. It's too many for sure. But in my time with the group, I think our discipline record has been very good up to now."
Defending set pieces
Had Chelsea just held on to their 1-0 lead, nobody would have been talking about the above issues, including their red card record.
But the Blues did throw away a lead - and it came from a set piece as Zian Flemming headed in unmarked. It could have been even worse for Chelsea, had Jacob Bruun Larsen fired in moments later - missing the chance to make it 2-1 from a similar position, heading over instead.
It has been the story of Chelsea's season. Overall, 38 per cent of the Premier League goals Chelsea have conceded have come from dead ball situations - it's the third-highest percentage in the league.
ROSENIOR SAYS: "We knew their biggest threat with Wall Prowse on the pitch was set plays. We went as big as we possibly could because that was the only way they could score with 10 men. We still don't see it out.
"It is unacceptable for their best header of the ball to be free in the box. It is not enough clean sheets and not enough basic and values of defending set-pieces.
"There were players on the pitch who were assigned to do their job and who didn't do their job. That is what cost us the two points.
"Set plays are massive in the Premier League, they're so important. Our record this season, defending set plays, is not to the level which is required for us to achieve what we want to achieve and that's something I need to address."
They are likely to slip down the standings by the next time they play. Liverpool can go level on points with the Blues if they win at Nottingham Forest on Saturday. Man Utd will go back ahead of them by avoiding defeat at Everton.
Players lacking accountability in defence
Chelsea's head coach listed four matches during his time at the club in which the club have conceded goals from a lack of "concentration or accountability" to manage the situation.
Those matches included the recent wins over Crystal Palace and Wolves - but Chelsea are now dropping points as the other two games he mentioned were the recent draws to newly-promoted sides Leeds and Burnley.
ROSENIOR SAYS: "In my time here: Wolves away, Crystal Palace away, Leeds at home and today, where we've conceded goals from moments of lack of concentration, lack of accountability.
"If we want to maximise the potential, which I know is there, we have to address that very quickly.
"I'm learning about the players. I'm learning about the people you can lean on when things aren't going your way and you need to see a game out. That's something we need to address very quickly."
And it doesn't get any easier for Chelsea...
The game against Burnley was also particularly important because of what comes next for Chelsea. A brutal fixture list follows - starting with an away trip to Arsenal in the league, live on Sky Sports - the best set-piece team in the league.
Just take a look of their opponents going up until the end of April - and they still have to play Liverpool and Spurs after that...
Wisbdeiry
0
because he has seen the in training and known that defensively gusto is better than hato ...ithink by now u should know that
don't bother he know nothing about football
lecacdloy
1
put 433 lane up
Toyikntuyz
0
the coaches are not reading the game... thats one problem..
Toyikntuyz
1
we need play how are serious...
Tomckmtyz
0
I SEE THIS BOARD OF CHELSEA AS NOT BEIGN SERIOUS ABOUT SIGNING OF PLAYERS . THE QUESTION OF BRINGING IN AN EXPERIENCED CENTRAL DEF HAS BEEN ON FOR 2 YEARS NOW . AND THIS IS STILL HURTING THE CLUB. APART FROM CHALOBAH OTHERS ARE AVERAGE PLAYERS. AND THIS SAME ISSUE CAUSED MARESCA TO THROW IN THE TOWEL . WE WERE LUCKY NOT TO HAVE CONCEDED A 2ND GOAL FROM D SAME MISTAKE. AGAIN THE QUESTION IS DO WE GAVE A DEF COACH ? THIAGO SILVA JOINED CHELSEA AT AGE 37 AND HIS WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE HELPED A LOT BY COMMANDING & GUIDING THE YOUNGER ONES .WHERE ARE WE SURE OF 3 POINTS IF WE CAN'T COLLECT MAXIMUM 3 FROM RELEGATED BOUND CLUBS? THE PERFORMANCES OF THESE BOYS OF LATE IS VERY DISGUSTING & VERY HARD TO BEAR.
Even Chalobah is average what big team will Chalobah starts
Mc-anthony
0
What is the problem with coaches playing players out of position???? Cucurella is injured, so put a natural like Jorrel Hato at left back. What was Gusto doing at left back? this bloke has no idea how to defend and he hasn't even learnt how to defend properly at right back, & then the coach puts him at left back: ridiculous . And there's Enzo Fenandez stumbling up & down the pitch, contributing zero, yet, he plays another 90mins
because he has seen the in training and known that defensively gusto is better than hato ...ithink by now u should know that
Doyikrsuz
0
💯% blame to the coach poor tactics why use Gusto as a left back when Hato is on the bench secondly why not sub Fofana in second half? for me I don't blame any player but the coach
Marresca it could be a lose
yaodmpstuz
0
Chelsea needs a Coach and not Liam type.
Theskyisblue
0
💯% blame to the coach poor tactics why use Gusto as a left back when Hato is on the bench secondly why not sub Fofana in second half? for me I don't blame any player but the coach
Yiyclotz
0
What is the problem with coaches playing players out of position???? Cucurella is injured, so put a natural like Jorrel Hato at left back. What was Gusto doing at left back? this bloke has no idea how to defend and he hasn't even learnt how to defend properly at right back, & then the coach puts him at left back: ridiculous . And there's Enzo Fenandez stumbling up & down the pitch, contributing zero, yet, he plays another 90mins
tocbcdluy
1
the coach is our big problem here
ceoaeruyz
0
That's is football for u
Yuwabilnr
1
I SEE THIS BOARD OF CHELSEA AS NOT BEIGN SERIOUS ABOUT SIGNING OF PLAYERS . THE QUESTION OF BRINGING IN AN EXPERIENCED CENTRAL DEF HAS BEEN ON FOR 2 YEARS NOW . AND THIS IS STILL HURTING THE CLUB. APART FROM CHALOBAH OTHERS ARE AVERAGE PLAYERS. AND THIS SAME ISSUE CAUSED MARESCA TO THROW IN THE TOWEL . WE WERE LUCKY NOT TO HAVE CONCEDED A 2ND GOAL FROM D SAME MISTAKE. AGAIN THE QUESTION IS DO WE GAVE A DEF COACH ? THIAGO SILVA JOINED CHELSEA AT AGE 37 AND HIS WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE HELPED A LOT BY COMMANDING & GUIDING THE YOUNGER ONES .WHERE ARE WE SURE OF 3 POINTS IF WE CAN'T COLLECT MAXIMUM 3 FROM RELEGATED BOUND CLUBS? THE PERFORMANCES OF THESE BOYS OF LATE IS VERY DISGUSTING & VERY HARD TO BEAR.
Jeecltuyz
1
Keeping tbe ball is not dominating the game Its dominating the ball They play like shit under l these useless managers
they also allow opponent settle, even after having advantage to canter, waiting for opponent to regroup, then pass back to the keeper who give away possession immediately by going long, their lack of directness is frustrating
Nubairtuz
2
wer is Enzo playing as a winger or were
Rahbckotu
0
our players are not disciplined on the pitch. Chelsea f.c players have received more red cards than any other club this season.
pindeklnpr
0
kposhi kposhi club like Chelsea
Okechu
0
The red card is not a problem but your Sub after the red was totally wrong. How on earth you removed experienced players like James, Palmer, Neto n Pedro and you expect to win with a man down. You are a Joker. It's high time Delap went on loan to learn because I thought coming to Chelsea was a good thing but no. The coach is an inexperienced one.
Regan1Geduld
1
Correct frome a mile off,i was looking at the game on my phone because I was working but after the first half 87 minet i know something will go wrong 1 nail in make it no more if we Chelsea want to bet a club 1 nail we really have to play 100% at our best simple if we cant hold on to 1 nail then we have to put the ball in the net every chance we get.
Looked like match fixing the dominated the ball after the red card they cant even pass to each other
Regan1Geduld
2
Keeping tbe ball is not dominating the game Its dominating the ball They play like shit under l these useless managers
tjbear0910
0
I just keep asking the questions of why do we even have to sack Enzo Maresca? 😡
senbcklnoy
0
you need to sack this coach
Vomcdmptuz
2
change the player with yellow card simple, giving our history this season with red cards
Taobckmosz
0
Correct frome a mile off,i was looking at the game on my phone because I was working but after the first half 87 minet i know something will go wrong 1 nail in make it no more if we Chelsea want to bet a club 1 nail we really have to play 100% at our best simple if we cant hold on to 1 nail then we have to put the ball in the net every chance we get.
Veoaclnpyz
0
please couch don't put Pedro neto to the right wing plz you are killing his Tallent
Emmyblock
4
The fact is that Rosenior has failed to learn from Maresca mistakes that got him fired, just one red card and you begin to make wrong decisions, how can you remove all key players and still send them back to defense, how…???? Ahhh…!!!😩😩😩 And he doesn’t want to accept his fault, don’t worry, I trust my people, if you don’t learn fast and adjust from those mistakes, you soon be fired as well
Voziprtuyz
1
Fofana you idiot 🤦🏻♂️
akpchoichinho001
1
my question is that .. why is it so difficult to take out Enzo and let Pedro play earlier today ... with neto we would have been a threat going forward
NanbalRaphael
4
Since you came you have been trying to address issue. Oga addresser what have you address? I hate when coaches don't account for their fault, only to be beating around the question that's been asked.
puuknoruyz
0
You caused it why bringing Tosin into that game, that guy is a badluck
🤣🤣🤣
nuscekly
2
Coach you are Chelsea main problem you can not make simple decisions or substitution
hiwbciknrs
6
Risenoire is at fault here. Your center back is on yellow, why not change as there were 3 defenders on the bench, knowing the history that Chelsea have on red cards
vedaimrsyz
3
the changes were not right. when Pedro was removed, they all moved forward knowing delap can't do anything.
darkxiao
1
Sean dyche to Chelsea here we go.
Noble1
3
The same problem again You won't kill off games. You will score one goal and passing the ball left, right, left, right, back, front, back, front....you won't score goals to kill off games when you are dominating The coach self is a mad man
BwoyPrince
1
Foolish coach
hoeaelnoy
2
instead of applying more pressure 😕 you get defensive and it didn't anything 😕 we gave up the lead
Widbiltz
1
Rosenior has started feeling the heat of Epl.
Hikcdeiot
1
useless coach useless Fofana Liam he made mistakes to sub james Neto
Teudimotyz
2
You caused it why bringing Tosin into that game, that guy is a badluck
pasaceruz
3
stop talking nonsense, you and your players are not serious playing big man football.
Kancimotu
4
The boys are not serious