Brentford vs Chelsea LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction tonight

The Blues consolidated their place at the top of the table as the high-flying Bees came close to pulling off another shock

Tuchel on Chelsea injuries and Brentford

Chelsea held off a late onslaught from Brentford to achieve a narrow away victory on Saturday and consolidate their place at the top of the Premier League table.

Thomas Tuchel’s side had emerged as early frontrunners for the title, with confidence clearly flowing after their Champions League triumph in the spring, but they recently suffered back-to-back defeats against top teams in Man City and Juventus to somewhat lose momentum. The Blues have now responded with two straight wins, however, this victory over a spirited Brentford outfit earning Chelsea three invaluable points.

Left-back Ben Chilwell, making just his second league start of the season, fired the visitors ahead on the cusp of half-time, blasting a superb half-volley past David Raya for his third goal in as many games for club and country. Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy was equally important here, however, making a string of superb saves late in the game to help his side survive the swarming Bees. The best of the lot was a stop with his face to deny Pontus Jansson, though the Senegal international then also crucially tipped over a Christian Norgaard overhead kick from close range to secure the win.

Follow all the fallout from the top-flight meeting:

Brentford vs Chelsea

• Brentford XI: Raya, Zanka, Jansson, Pinnock, Canos, Jensen, Norgaard, Onyeka, Henry, Toney, Mbeumo
• Chelsea XI: Mendy, Chilwell, Chalobah, Christensen, Sarr, Azpilicueta, Loftus-Cheek, Kante, Kovacic, Lukaku, Werner
• Chilwell smashes home half-volley on cusp of half-time to give Chelsea lead
• Chelsea surive late swarming from the Bees to escape with narrow win

[16 October 2021 10:48 · Jack Rathborn]

Watford vs Liverpool prediction

Watford looked flat during their draw to Newcastle and defeat to Leeds before the international break. By contrast, Liverpool played out a thrilling draw with Manchester City at Anfield. On form, you cannot see anything but a comfortable win for Klopp’s men. 3-0 Liverpool.

[15 October 2021 11:15 · Jack Rathborn]

Liverpool pair Alisson and Fabinho to miss Watford game and complete quarantine in Spain

Liverpool are sending Alisson Becker and Fabinho straight to Spain from international duty with Brazil to complete their Covid quarantine.

The pair were unlikely to feature against Watford in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off as their country’s World Cup qualifier against Uruguay did not finish until the early hours of Friday.

However, rather than bring the players home Liverpool have opted to send them straight to Madrid where they face Atletico in the Champions League on Tuesday, in order for them to complete their necessary 10 days’ quarantine so a return to England later next week will leave them free of any restrictions.