IF ever there was a metaphor for how greed and arrogance succeeds in the modern world, Burnley’s defeat to Premier League leaders Chelsea was it.

The match was overshadowed by newspaper revelations surrounding Chelsea skipper John Terry’s private life, but that did not stop Clarets fans giving new boss Brian Laws a rousing welcome in his first Turf Moor game.

Songs featuring the word “together” rang out around the stadium before the game and that spirit was embodied in a performance which was a very marked improvement.

New signing Leon Cort looks a very shrewd acquisition and the return of Andre Bikey - man of the match but for a lack of concentration to allow Terry to head home the winner - gave a new look to the side and a bit of added bite in the centre of the park.

The first Chelsea goal was a sweeping counter attack and the otherwise impressive Burnley defence will have been disappointed that Florent Malouda had the easiest of tasks in rolling the ball across the six-yard line for the unmarked Nicolas Anelka to slot home.

The reply, when it came, was a contender for goal of the month, if not the season.

Robbie Blake lofted a superb ball forward which Steven Fletcher took out of the air and spun Alex in one swift movement before keeping his nerve to slot the ball past Petr Cech.

Cue rapturous applause among the Clarets fans.