IT is six years since Brendan Flood victoriously strode around the Chairman's Lounge at Stamford Bridge wearing Robbie Blake’s underpants over his suit.

Chelsea are overwhelming favourites to win Monday’s season opener – you can get odds of 4/11 for an away victory and 15/2 for a Burnley home win, despite the Clarets' impressive record at Turf Moor last term.

But it is the Burnley who have the upper hand in meetings between the two clubs.

In 90 matches since their first encounter back in 1905, Burnley have officially won 36 matches to Chelsea’s 32.

Make that 37 to 32 if you include the Clarets’ famous penalty shoot-out win at Stamford Bridge in 2008.

Then a victory over a side managed by Luiz Felipe Scolari, a World Cup winner with Brazil in 2002, appeared to be some feat.

This summer’s events might have altered that perception somewhat, but Burnley’s triumph came against a Chelsea team who were top of the Premier League.

The Clarets, then in the Championship under Owen Coyle, fell behind just before the half hour mark in that Carling Cup fourth round tie.

Didier Drogba beat Brian Jensen, although he was later cautioned for common assault after throwing a coin back into the away section during his goal celebrations.

No action was taken by the referee at the time, but Drogba was later banned for three matches by the FA.

Burnley levelled the match in the 69th minute through Ade Akinbiyi, and even Steven Caldwell’s dismissal in extra time for a second yellow card could not deny them.

Jensen saved from Wayne Bridge and John Obi Mikel to secure a 5-4 victory in the shoot-out.

It was a key confidence boost in the Clarets’ promotion season, and one that director Flood celebrated Superman style by wearing Blake’s famous ‘Bad Beat Bob’ pants in Chelsea's Chairman's Lounge. Blake often displayed them during goal celebrations.

Flood later admitted he was ‘politely asked to remove them’.

Burnley returned to Stamford Bridge in the Premier League a year later, but on that occasion goals from Nicolas Anelka, Michael Ballack and Ashley Cole sealed a 3-0 win for Carlo Ancelotti’s hosts.

Anelka scored again in the reverse fixture and Steven Fletcher’s equaliser was not enough as John Terry headed home eight minutes from time to seal a notable 2-1 victory for Chelsea.

Just a day earlier, Terry’s infamous affair with the former girlfriend of ex-Chelsea team-mate Wayne Bridge had been made public.

Sadly for Burnley, the press scrutiny and 90 minutes of boos did not distract him.

Chelsea are tipped to claim another Turf Moor victory, but Burnley have shocked them before.

They will believe they can do it again.