Chelsea vs Brentford LIVE: Premier League result as Blues cut Liverpool’s lead and extend streak
Chelsea 2-1 Brentford: Enzo Maresca’s side won for a fifth league game in a row and made the most of their rivals dropping points
Chelsea cut Liverpool’s lead at the top of the Premier League table to just two points as goals from Marc Cucurella and Nicolas Jackson secured a west London derby victory over Brentford.
Capitalising on Liverpool’s draw at home to Fulham - as well as more dropped points for Arsenal and Manchester City - Enzo Maresca’s side won a fifth Premier League game in row to continue their excellent form.
And they did not even need Cole Palmer’s inspiration as Cucurella opened the scoring shortly before half time, meeting Noni Madueke’s cross.
Brentford had their moments - including Fabio Carvalho hitting the crossbar - and Chelsea’s win did not feel secure until late on when Jackson raced through to score his ninth Premier League goal of the season.
Bryan Mbeumo pulled one back for the visitors late on - but it could not stop Chelsea becoming the first Premier League team to win five games in a row this season.
Follow all of the latest from Stamford Bridge, plus updates from Southampton vs Tottenham, in our live blog below:
Chelsea 2-0 Brentford
85 mins
Half a chance for Brentford as Janelt’s ball in misses it’s target but runs into the path of Mbeumo. Once again though, it’s good play from Sanchez to close the angle and get to the ball first.
Chelsea 2-0 Brentford
84 mins
Jackson is replaced by Nkunku, and his work is done after a mixed day.
Chelsea 2-0 Brentford
Jackson's finish gives Chelsea the cushion and boy did they need it. The Bees could and should have been level, from a narrow escape due to offside as Wissa went clear, to Norgaard’s volley while unmarked in the box, Carvalho then clattered the bar. But that breakaway counter thanks to Fernandez was always likely as Frank's side got a little greedy in search of the equaliser. Jackson given a standing ovation as Nkunku is sent on. And the tension inside the ground escapes just like that.
GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Brentford
81 mins
GOAL! The hosts have surely wrapped it up!
Right after wasting a chance, it’s great work from Jackson as he latches onto a through ball from Fernandez near halfway. He drives towards goal, stands up the defender and rifles in an effort at the near post for 2-0!
Chelsea 1-0 Brentford
79 mins
Brentford have more life in them now, though a chance is wasted as Lewis-Potter sees his effort from range deflected into the gloves of Sanchez.
Chelsea go down the other end and Palmer slips a great ball to Jackson, who is 1-v-1 with Flekken, but he can’t get the ball out from under his feet.
Chelsea 1-0 Brentford
77 mins
OFF THE BAR! The subs almost pay off immediately as Brentford come forward, working it to Carvalho, who fires against the underside of the crossbar before Schade loops the rebound over with an acrobatic effort.
Chelsea 1-0 Brentford
76 mins
Brentford make some changes as Carvalho, Ajer and Schade come on for Yarmoliuk, Roerslev and Wissa.
Chelsea 1-0 Brentford
75 mins
SAVE! Another good save, this one at the other end, as Jackson surges towards goal before curling an effort towards the near post. Flekken gets across well to make the save, but the referee doesn’t see it and the goal kick is given.
Chelsea 1-0 Brentford
74 mins
SAVE! Brentford’s corner sees plenty of pinball in the box before Collins hooks it back into the box over his head. It falls to an unmarked Norgaard, who side-foots a volley goalwards, but Sanchez is there to tip over at full-stretch.
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