LONDON – Chelsea have shot themselves in the foot on multiple occasions throughout the season and were simply not good enough defensively in their 2-2 English Premier League home draw with 10-man Burnley, attacker Cole Palmer said.

The Englishman’s two goals were cancelled out by strikes from Josh Cullen and Dara O’Shea, as the Blues dropped points on March 30 despite having an advantage over the relegation-threatened Clarets to remain 11th in the league standings.

It was the fifth match in a row that Chelsea conceded two goals.

“The changing room is really down,” Palmer told Sky Sports. “When they went down to 10 men, we were 1-0 up and just got too comfortable. Same story, we kill ourselves every week. It’s got to improve from us as players.

“We had many chances and then that time we defended sloppy. It’s very disappointing. On a personal level, it’s good to score two, but if you don’t get the three points they count for nothing.

“I think it’s our consistency all around the pitch, being alive and not switching off like we did today. It’s poor, it can’t happen. Especially when they go down to 10 men.”

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino was seething with his players’ lack of drive against a team sitting second bottom of the Premier League.

“Today we didn’t show the capacity, the energy, the hunger. Not the minimum to compete in the Premier League. In defensive phases, we concede too much,” he said.

“That is why I’m so upset and disappointed. It’s more here (in the heart) and here (in the head) than in your legs. It’s about being strong like a group, strong like a team.

“We are too slow evolving in this area. That was the key today. But when we didn’t have the ball, we don’t have the same energy.

“Today, sorry, I am not happy with the performance when we don’t have the ball. It’s difficult to accept not to win. It was a must-win game.”

Chelsea are languishing in mid-table and were beaten by an inexperienced Liverpool side in the League Cup final.

They could salvage the season by winning the FA Cup, with a semi-final against holders Manchester City looming in April.

To do that, Pochettino conceded they must conquer the psychological root of their lacklustre displays.

“The players need to realise that competing is different to playing football. We can be there and play, but we need to increase our level,” he said. “We are missing something. That’s why we are where we are.” REUTERS, AFP