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The return of The Beast to Stamford Bridge tomorrow may prove to be one of the most difficult obstacles for Chelsea to get past this season. Brian Jensen was Burnley's hero when Owen Coyle's side, who were in the Championship at the time, knocked Chelsea out of the Carling Cup nine months ago 5-4 on penalties.
The goalkeeper, nicknamed The Beast by his team-mates, made a number of inspirational saves to secure a 1-1 draw before stopping the deciding spot kick from John Mikel Obi.
Coyle's men are confident of repeating the upset having won two of their first three League games in the top flight against Manchester United and Everton.
The 34-year-old doesn't have any fear even though Chelsea have started well under new manager Carlo Ancelotti with three wins.
He said: "They are playing probably the best football of any team at the moment but if we play like we did last year we have a chance. Beating Chelsea in the shoot-out was nice but it was a one-off and we have to look forward.
"We are the underdogs again and this is the Premier League not the Carling Cup but our ambition remains the same." Burnley's rise to the top flight was built on the back of their charge to the last four of the Carling Cup last term.
Jensen says they are approaching the challenge of staying in the Premier League with the same attitude they took into the Carling Cup. He added: "We know we're going to be up against it; we can only enjoy it like we did in the cup last year and see where it takes us."
Chelsea striker Didier Drogba will be under pressure to be on his best behaviour having been banned for three games after throwing a coin at Burnley fans in the Carling Cup defeat last year.
Defender Alex is still out with a hernia problem, but Yuri Zhirkov could make his debut after a knee injury.
Reader views (4)
Surely you should also be commenting on how the Burnley fans (who have returned 1500 tickets to Chelsea this week) should be on their best behaviour - didn't they throw the coin at Drogba first? or are you implying that Dider carries a coin bag for the moments it gets a bit heated.
Chelsea striker Didier Drogba will be under pressure to be on his best behaviour having been banned for three games after throwing a coin at Burnley fans in the Carling Cup defeat last year.
- Paul, Ealing, 28/08/2009 14:48
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The whole coin thing was a sorry saga that i hope is not repeated. As a Burnley fan i can say we are definatly not about controversy. We are all about the football and the general buzz about the club. Again we go into a game as underdogs and again we have nothing to lose. Nothing to lose means we can play our football and we have proved that our football can be good enough to occasionally beat the best!!! Come on the Clarets!!!
- Jonny Pilks, London, 28/08/2009 14:45
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I'm nervous about this game. Burnley are going to park the bus and get a 0-0. Drogba to see red. Lampard injured and out for the season after a disgraceful but unpunished challenge. We end the game with Kalou the lone striker...
Nurse, the screens.
- Neil, Bedford, England, 28/08/2009 13:21
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Given that league games don't go to penalties it would be rather diffficult for this to happen: "Coyle's men are confident of repeating the upset". And it's interesting you suggest Drogba should be on his best behaviour - did not the coin he threw come out of the Burnley crowd? (for which by the way, no Burnley fan was punished)
- Peter Bench, London, 28/08/2009 12:38
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