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
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 0 - 1 Chelsea
88 mins: Mendy’s stayed down after taking a ball to the face. He’s getting checked over as Reece James is ready to come on for the Blues. Mendy takes a drink and is happy to play on.
James replaces Azpilicueta as the game resumes.
Brentford 0 - 1 Chelsea
86 mins: Save! Chelsea are rocking and have Mendy to thank for saving them. Ghoddos chips a pass into the box and Jorgensen heads it down into the six-yard box. Jansson turns and smokes one on the half-volley but Mendy takes a heavy blow to the face as he stops the ball. How have Brentford not scored yet?
Brentford 0 - 1 Chelsea
83 mins: Into the last 10 minutes now. Chelsea have regained a degree of control but Brentford are still a threat.
SAVE! Toney flicks a cross into the box from the left side. The ball loops over Sarr and drops for Ghoddos sweeping in from the right. He shoots but gets charged down by Mendy who makes a good low save to deny Brentford an equaliser!
Brentford 0 - 1 Chelsea
80 mins: Brentford have had close to 90% possession over the last five minutes and most of it has been in Chelsea’s half. Thomas Tuchel is quite animated on the sidelines as Chelsea are being pushed deeper and deeper.
Another long throw comes into the box from Jorgensen, Toney shields the ball letting it drop for Ghoddos but his shot from just inside the box goes over the bar.
Brentford 0 - 1 Chelsea
78 mins: Romelu Lukaku’s day is over and Kai Havertz comes on as his replacement. Chalobah mistimes a tackle on Toney in the Chelsea box and brings down the striker. The whole Brentford Community stadium appeals for a penalty but the offside flag goes up against Toney and Chelsea get away with one.
Brentford 0 - 1 Chelsea
75 mins: OFF THE POST! This is the chance! The one that Brentford have been closing in on. They attack from the right with the ball coming to Forss. He chips it over the Chelsea back line as Mbeumo makes his run. He brings the ball down and hits it with his left foot. Mendy leaps across but doesn’t get there and ball collides into the near post and bounces clear! Brentford cannot get any closer without scoring!
Brentford 0 - 1 Chelsea
72 mins: Sergi Canos’s day is done as he’s replaced with Saman Ghoddos. A long throw comes into the Chelsea penalty area is if flicked on towards the near post. Toney hits the volley on the spin and forces Mendy into a sharp save. He pushes the ball up nd over the crossbar giving Brentford a corner.
Brentford 0 - 1 Chelsea
69 mins: What a miss! Kante slips a pass into the box for Werner who manages to turn towards goal and knock it into space for Lukaku. Lukaku receives the ball into the six-yard box but he belts it over the crossbar! He sighs with relief as the offside flag goes up but that seemed mighty close.
Brentford 0 - 1 Chelsea
66 mins: Thomas Frank makes a change as well bringing Marcus Forss on for Frank Onyeka. Mount and Jansson tussle over the ball on the inside left but Jansson wins the battle and sends a pass to his fellow defender Pinnock who clears the Brentford lines.
Brentford 0 - 1 Chelsea
63 mins: Werner does well to nick the ball off Jorgensen an squeeze a pass out to Chilwell. Lukaku directs him to whip a cross into the box as he makes a run through the middle but Chilwell overhits the pass and it sails over Lukaku’s head.
Mason Mount is on in place of Mateo Kovacic.
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