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

Enzo Maresca insists Cole Palmer could be Premier League's best player

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 vs Brentford live

• FULL TIME! Five in a row for Chelsea as they cut Liverpol’s lead
• 90’ GOAL! Mbeumo sets up a nervy finish at the Bridge [CHE 2-1 BRE]
• 81’ GOAL! Nicolas Jackso doubles Chelsea’s lead late on [CHE 2-0 BRE]
• 74’ SAVE! Sanchez tips over well from Norgaard’s effort [CHE 1-0 BRE]
• 60’ What a miss! Jackson somehow misses from six yards with Flekken outside his front post [CHE 1-0 BRE]
• 42’ GOAL! Cucurella sprints into the box and heads home Madueke’s delightful cross [CHE 1-0 BRE]
• REPORT: Marc Cucurella masters ‘three positions’ to inspire Chelsea's title charge

[15 December 2024 19:40 · Chris Wilson]

Chelsea 0-0 Brentford

39 mins

CLOSE! A poor pass from Flekken goes straight to Madueke. He surges towards goal and finds space for the shot, with a low effort forcing a good save from the ‘keeper.

From the corner, Fernandez finds Palmer in space, but the ‘keeper puts his corner behind.

[15 December 2024 19:38 · Chris Wilson]

37 mins

Brentford have settled a little bit but they’re still struggling at times, especially in attack, and they just needed good work from Pinnock to prevent a dangerous cross. Once they do get forward, the flag goes up against Lewis-Potter. Cheap.

[15 December 2024 19:32 · Chris Wilson]

Chelsea 0-0 Brentford

31 mins

It’s Chelsea probing once again, with Madueke winning yet another corner after some good work to squeeze the cross in.

(Getty Images)

[15 December 2024 19:20 · Chris Wilson]

Chelsea 0-0 Brentford

20 mins

Brentford get forward after Fernandez loses the ball, and Wissa wins a corner off Tosin. The ball comes in to the front post, but Palmer clears before Sanchez collects Damsgaard’s follow-up cross.

[15 December 2024 19:06 · Chris Wilson]

Chelsea 0-0 Brentford

5 mins

Both sides are enjoying small spells of possession, though it’s the home side who are looking more comfortable in the opening stages.

[15 December 2024 19:03 · Chris Wilson]

Chelsea 0-0 Brentford

3 mins

CLOSE! An early chance for the hosts as Gusto delivers a great cross and Jackson, who’d got in-between the two centre-backs, glances a header narrowly wide.