Chelsea vs Brentford LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction
Follow all the action from Stamford Bridge
Follow live coverage as Chelsea face Brentford today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Manchester City look to make it an unprecedented five titles in a row come the end of 2024/25.
The likes of Arsenal and Liverpool will be chasing Pep Guardiola's side, but just as fascinating will be the race for Champions League places, with more teams than ever before having designs on top-four finishes. Chelsea remain big-spending, Manchester United's latest rebuild continues and both Tottenham and Newcastle will expect improvements this year - yet it was Aston Villa who snared fourth last term.
Meanwhile, it's Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town who made it back to the elite after promotion last year and each will have hope they can make it more than a one-year stay. Follow the latest live action from the Premier League below:
Chelsea vs Brentford
Lewis-Potter is brought down by a lunging Gusto. Brentford might be able to cross from this position on the left here. Mbeumo sends it in, Sanchez claims and Chelsea try to break. Roerslev is back though, and it's behind for a corner.
Chelsea vs Brentford
Palmer's pass from the centre circle gets us back under way at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea vs Brentford
After a busy first half for Brentford's goalkeeper, it's no surprise that Flekken arrives as the player that has seen the most touches for his side. However, he has been key in keeping Chelsea at bay. The hosts have exceeded their xG of 0.79, while the visiting Bees have struggled to get going in attack with an xG of 0.12. Further evidence, if required, arrives with Mbeumo being limited to attempting just four passes in the opening 45 minutes. It's of vital importance that Frank's side can usher one of their star men into the action.
Chelsea vs Brentford
Chelsea lead Brentford 1-0 at the break in this West London face-off thanks to Marc Cucurella's fine header just before the whistle. Initially, the hosts were quick out of the blocks as Jackson glanced a header wide in the first minute. However, the first effort that troubled Flekken arrived 10 minutes later, as Jackson was alive again to slam one at the Dutchman at the left post. Flekken was by far the busier of the two stoppers - with Maresca's side forcing saves with efforts from Fernandez, Palmer, and Madueke, respectively. While Brentford could only really respond with a Damsgaard strike blocked well by Colwill, the Blues punished their lack of threat to snatch the lead in the 43rd minute. After a slew of unsuccessful crosses, Madueke cut back onto his left on the right and delivered a fine ball into the box. With a run a striker would be proud of, Cucurella raced forward and flicked a deft header into the bottom-left corner to give the hosts the upper hand heading into the interval.
Chelsea vs Brentford
Palmer has an effort blocked as the Chelsea fans scream for him to shoot. Shortly after, as the ball bounces up nicely, Jackson goes for a floaty bicycle kick to no avail.
Chelsea vs Brentford
The ball comes in, yet Adarabioyo is offside in the mix. Up goes the flag, before Palmer rather comically lashes a frustrated effort off the crossbar.
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