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 1-0 Brentford
53 mins
Wissa wins a free-kick off Cucurella and this could be a chance for Brentford to deliver a cross into the box. Mbeumo clips it in, but Sanchez collects easily.
Chelsea 1-0 Brentford
51 mins
A few cheap losses of possession for Brentford leaves Chelsea enjoying more possession. Palmer goes down on the edge of the area, but the challenge is waved away before Sanchez does well to come off his line and beat Mbeumo to the long ball forward.
Chelsea 1-0 Brentford
48 mins
Great play from Sanchez to come out, collect the free-kick and start the counter, and Cucurella wins a corner. Chelsea work a couple of chances, with Madueke’s shot being blocked before he’s dispossessed by a great challenge from Collins.
Chelsea 1-0 Brentford
46 mins
Chelsea start the second half quickly, but Gusto fires a cross straight out for a goal kick.
KICK-OFF! Chelsea 1-0 Brentford
The home side get the second half underway at Stamford Bridge.
HALF-TIME! Chelsea 1-0 Brentford
HALF-TIME! Chelsea 1-0 Brentford
The referee brings the half to an end and the hosts have the lead after a pretty dominant performance so far.
Chelsea 1-0 Brentford
Brentford were so drilled but a little drop in intensity and Chelsea pounced. Cucurella outstanding throughout this half and thriving in about three different positions. Under Maresca, this goal is made possible, the sprint into the box and the calm finish with the header. A crucial first goal in a gripping game like this, it sets up the second half beautifully with the Bees forced to commit more going forward.
Chelsea 1-0 Brentford
45 mins
There’ll be just one minute of added time here. Palmer tries the effort from outside the box, before Jackson tries the wonder goal with an acrobatic effort from just outside the box.
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