Chelsea vs Brentford LIVE: Premier League result and final score after Bryan Mbeumo exposes Robert Sanchez
Ethan Pinnock and Bryan Mbeumo scored goals to confirm a third successive win for the Bees at Stamford Bridge
Brentford snatched a 2-0 win away at Chelsea on Saturday thanks to a header by defender Ethan Pinnock and a last-minute breakaway goal by Bryan Mbeumo as the expensively assembled Blues failed to turn possession into goals once again.
Pinnock, undetected by Chelsea's defence, connected powerfully with an Mbeumo cross in the 58th minute, stunning the hosts who had spent much of the game buzzing around the Bees' penalty area but without creating many clear chances.
As the Blues poured forward in the 96th minute in search of a late equalizer, goalkeeper Robert Sanchez ventured up for a corner only to be caught out when the visitors broke away and Mbeumo scored into an empty net.
Chelsea have now won only one of their last 13 home league games, a dismal run stretching back into last season when they fired managers Thomas Tuchel and then Graham Potter.
The hosts started the west London derby on the front foot and winger Noni Madueke almost broke the deadlock in the first half when his curling shot hit the crossbar with 10 minutes on the clock.
But Brentford soaked up everything Chelsea could throw at them with centre forward Nicolas Jackson, back in the starting 11 after an injury, unable to provide much of a threat.
Brentford leap-frogged their neighbours into 10th spot, while Chelsea dropped to 11th ahead of the rest of the weekend's fixtures.
Chelsea vs Brentford
SAVED!!! Ajer pops up in the box to connect with Roerslev's ball in behind, and cuts it back into the middle. Janelt arrives late to strike a first-time shot goalwards, but his effort is hit straight at Sanchez and the Chelsea goalkeeper makes the break!
Chelsea vs Brentford
Palmer finds Cucurella on the run with a lofted pass to the left, but the Spaniard's cut-back for Sterling hits Ajer and goes behind for a corner!
Chelsea vs Brentford
Brentford have now stopped their opposition from scoring a first-half goal in seven of their 10 Premier League games, second only to Crystal Palace's eighrt so far this season.
Chelsea vs Brentford
No changes from either side at the break, as Jackson and Palmer get the second period up and running for the hosts!
Chelsea vs Brentford
The teams return ahead of the second half, and after a first 45 minutes marred by missed chances, Chelsea will need to open the scoring as soon as they possibly can if they're to make that dominance count!
Chelsea vs Brentford
We're all square at the break, with hosts Chelsea having done everything but score in the first 45 minutes! It's been one-way traffic for much of the half, but despite Chelsea piling numbers forward at every available opportunity, they've been unable to beat Flekken or force him into any difficult saves of note. The Bees keeper has been called into action by Gallagher and Cucurella's shots on goal, and Madueke has struck the crossbar, but Jackson, Sterling and Madueke again have all put glorious chances high and wide of the target. Brentford have been limited to just two efforts wide from Mbeumo and Hickey, but there's no denying their effort and organisation in defence is playing a big part in Chelsea's frustrations so far.
Chelsea vs Brentford
A foot injury to Jensen takes a minute or so for the Brentford medical team to deal with, meaning we'll likely run beyond the allocated minutes at the end of this half.
Chelsea vs Brentford
We'll play two additional minutes to close out this (somehow) goalless first half at Stamford Bridge.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments