FROM STAMFORD BRIDGE – Chelsea’s depressing begin to the 2023/24 season continued with a 2-0 defeat at residence to Brentford within the west London derby.
The Bees have received all three of their journeys to the Blues since promotion to the Premier League and have climbed above their neighbours into tenth place.
Mauricio Pochettino’s facet had been booed off at full-time and there’s work to do forward of their subsequent league outing – a visit to high-flying Tottenham Hotspur.
How the sport unfolded
Chelsea went near taking a Tenth-minute lead on the counter when Noni Madueke was afforded house to run in behind Vitaly Janelt, who was masking house for the out-of-position Aaron Hickey. The winger lower inside and unleashed a fierce strike from the sting of the field, rattling the underside of the crossbar.
Conor Gallagher was subsequent to attempt his luck from vary as Brentford reset themselves defensively, forcing Mark Flekken right into a low save to his proper.
One other probability got here and went for Chelsea when Cole Palmer floated a scrumptious cross over the Bees backline for Marc Cucurella, whose volley went straight down the throat of a grateful Flekken.
Quickly after, Raheem Sterling fluffed his strains after the ball labored its strategy to him out on the right-hand facet of the 18 yard field, and he fired into the Matthew Harding Stand.
After the break, Brentford created their first alternative of notice, with Kristoffer Ajer galloping ahead and reaching the byline to chop the ball again for Vitaly Janelt, whose strike was overwhelmed away by Robert Sanchez.
On 58 minutes, the guests took the lead towards the run of play. Chelsea switched off from a Brentford throw and Bryan Mbeumo was capable of freely cross for Ethan Pinnock, who managed to easily nod in on the again submit.
Chelsea pushed ahead late on in quest of a leveller however discovered possibilities laborious to come back by. Thiago Silva headed the ball proper throughout the face of objective from a Conor Gallagher nook however nobody in blue was capable of finding a decisive contact to divert it in.
Substitute Deivid Washington was then denied from shut vary earlier than Brentford spurned an enormous probability to kill the sport on the break from the ensuing nook, with Robert Sanchez standing tall to maintain out Yehor Yarmolyuk. Seconds later, Mbeumo fired extensive from an identical distance as Chelsea had been twice let off the hook.
Sanchez went ahead for one final nook on the finish of added time and was made to pay when Brentford raced down the opposite finish to transform their second objective, with Neal Maupay selflessly teeing up Mbeumo to roll the ball into an empty internet.
GK: Robert Sanchez – 6/10 – An honest efficiency after such a disastrous one towards Arsenal. Distributed the ball effectively and got here up with an enormous save to disclaim Janelt after which Yarmolyuk. Not helped out by his defenders for Pinnock’s objective.
RB: Axel Disasi – 5/10 – Principally positive defensively however provided little assist in assault, which is comprehensible given he is a centre-back by commerce. Overwhelmed by Pinnock for the opener, nevertheless.
CB: Thiago Silva – 6/10 – Hardly examined by Brentford’s fast forwards and held his personal in aerial battles.
CB: Levi Colwill – 6/10 – His comparable lack of tempo did not show to be a lot of a problem for Chelsea. Marauded ahead every so often.
LB: Marc Cucurella – 5/10 – Did effectively to nullify the specter of wing-back Roerslev although wanted additional assist to dampen Ajer. Wasteful within the attacking third.
CM: Moises Caicedo – 5/10 – Calmer in possession in the present day than in earlier video games and dutifully broke up play.
CM: Conor Gallagher – 6/10 – At all times discovered a strategy to emerge with possession when surrounded by Brentford our bodies. Chelsea’s most important midfield drawback was the shortage of a pure deep-lying playmaker.
RM: Noni Madueke – 6/10 – Threatening early on and appeared to have rediscovered his mojo, however discovered it more and more robust to interrupt down Brentford’s deep block.
AM: Cole Palmer – 6/10 – Chelsea’s finest outfielder and brightest spark, all the time attempting to carry the sport to life with a flick or a trick, a cross or a cross.
LM: Raheem Sterling – 5/10 – Like Madueke had lots of pleasure when Brentford had been unsettled however did not have lots of pleasure after they defended deeper.
CF: Nicolas Jackson – 4/10 – Didn’t impose himself on the sport and was the topic of abuse from an offended fan on the touchline simply earlier than the break, to which Pochettino furiously instructed him to ‘assist the workforce’.
Substitutes
SUB: Reece James (67′ for Disasi) – 5/10
SUB: Ian Maatsen (67′ for Madueke) – 5/10
SUB: Deivid Washington (81′ for Caicedo) – 5/10
SUB: Lesley Ugochukwu (81′ for Cucurella) – 5/10
Subs not used: Djordje Petrovic (GK), Eddie Seashore (GK), Malo Gusto, Benoit Badiashile, Alex Matos
Supervisor
Mauricio Pochettino – 5/10 – Chelsea began effectively however had been unable to benefit from that spell and had a tough time breaking down Brentford after they retreated.
GK: Mark Flekken – 7/10 – Criticised for his early performances in a Brentford shirt however was a lot better right here. Calm underneath stress and got here up with some respectable saves.
RB: Mads Roerslev – 6/10 – Pushed all the best way again by the tandem of Sterling and Cucurella, although to his credit score didn’t wilt.
CB: Kristoffer Ajer – 8/10 – The Norwegian’s freakish athleticism made it extremely tough for Chelsea to get in down his facet.
CB: Ethan Pinnock – 9/10 – The person mountain lived as much as his nickname with a supreme show in each bins.
CB: Nathan Collins – 8/10 – Like Flekken has endured a rocky begin to life at Brentford and like Flekken was an enormous internet optimistic in the present day.
LB: Aaron Hickey – 7/10 – Given a tricky time by Madueke within the opening levels however recovered very effectively.
CM: Mathias Jensen – 6/10 – Tidy when on the ball however was unable to select the lock as usually he often is ready to. A menace from set items as all the time.
CM: Christian Norgaard – 7/10 – Popped up throughout the pitch nipping the ball again and recirculating possession.
CM: Vitaly Janelt – 6/10 – Thundered his method into both field although wasn’t too efficient in both regardless of his relentless depth.
CF: Bryan Mbeumo – 9/10 – Frank all the time makes a degree to spotlight Mbeumo’s selflessness and work price, with each of these traits proving worthwhile right here.
CF: Yoane Wissa – 5/10 – By no means actually discovered a strategy to hassle Chelsea both within the air or together with his tempo.
Substitutes
SUB: Frank Onyeka (63′ for Jensen) – 6/10
SUB: Yehor Yarmolyuk (75′ for Janelt) – 6/10
SUB: Neal Maupay (75′ for Wissa) – 7/10
SUB: Saman Ghoddos (84′ for Hickey) – 6/10
Subs not used: Thomas Strakosha (GK), Zanka, Ben Mee, Ethan Brierley, Michael Olakigbe
Supervisor
Thomas Frank – 8/10 – Brentford got here to do a job. They acquired their reward for resolute defending and opportune counter-attacking.
