Chelsea 2 – 1 Brentford

Chelsea took benefit of their rivals’ slip-ups to maneuver two factors off the highest of the Premier League however made arduous work of a slim 2-1 win over Brentford.

The Blues didn’t make the identical mistake as Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester Metropolis who had all dropped factors at house earlier within the weekend, however ended up hanging on to victory in opposition to a Bees facet who had picked up just one away level all season.

They took a deserved lead into the break when Marc Cucurella nodded in his first Premier League purpose for the Blues minutes earlier than the interval, having dominated the opening half with out creating a lot in the best way of clear-cut probabilities.

Nicolas Jackson ought to have put the sport to mattress on the hour mark when he ballooned the influential Jadon Sancho’s cross over from six yards out, and with out that the Blues’ slim lead all the time remained precarious.

Brentford got here so shut to creating them pay as momentum started to shift and Christian Norgaard pulled an excellent finger-tip cease out of Robert Sanchez, earlier than Fabio Carvalho’s sliding effort bounced down off the bar, no quite a lot of inches from crossing the road.

Enzo Maresca’s celebrations which greeted Jackson’s thunderous second after a fast counter-attack summed up the reduction round Stamford Bridge with 10 minutes left as Chelsea lastly gave themselves a cushion to defend.

However even then, a hospital cross of a throw from Cucurella to Moises Caicedo noticed a Brentford counter completed off stylishly by Bryan Mbeumo, leaving the Blues to see out a nervy seven minutes of added time earlier than they may lastly have a good time stealing a march on their title rivals with victory.

Cucurella’s glorious night ended on a bitter word after the full-time whistle when the goalscorer was proven a second yellow card for an altercation with Kevin Schade.

Maresca: Title winners do not concede that kind of purpose

Chelsea supervisor Enzo Maresca:

“Irrespective of what number of video games we win, I believe we’re not able to compete for the title. One of many explanation why is I believe that groups who know the way to win titles will not concede targets like we did.

“ninetieth minute, our attacking throw-in. If you happen to do not consider me, or suppose I simply say it – I’d love the strain to compete. However we’re not prepared for a lot of causes, and one of many causes is we can not concede the purpose we conceded. It opened the sport up.”

On Marc Cucurella’s purple card: “The second yellow card was for unhealthy perspective, the referee advised me. When the ultimate whistle went I used to be with the teaching workers celebrating, so I did not see something.

“He was prime along with the opposite 10. They have been improbable, and we’re pleased with Marc’s efficiency. On the finish of the sport, the sport is completed, we will handle the second differently. However it’s an expertise for the gamers to study.”

Frank: Chelsea celebrations confirmed we deserved some extent

Brentford head coach Thomas Frank:

“We have been in some ways unfortunate to not get something out of the sport, no less than a draw. The second half was improbable, we went more-or-less toe to toe with one of many favourites within the Premier League.

“The best way we did that second half was vastly spectacular. We had two massive moments, with Christian Norgaard and Fabio Carvalho – after which we put one and put strain on, they ended up taking set items brief and working within the nook.

“The best way they celebrated the second purpose and the win, it meant rather a lot to them – we will need to have induced them plenty of bother so I am more than happy with the efficiency from my group.”

Evaluation: Chelsea transfer nearer to prime – however title credentials look much less convincing

Sky Sports activities’ Ron Walker at Stamford Bridge:

“Chelsea succeeded the place Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester Metropolis had failed by successful at house, however had they been punished by Brentford, as they may have been, it could have been simply as self-inflicted.

“Robert Sanchez and Chelsea’s centre-back choices have been highlighted as their Achilles heel, but it surely was their lack of ability to complete Brentford off and the way of the purpose they did ultimately concede – from their very own attacking throw – which supplies some credence to Enzo Maresca’s insistence they don’t seem to be able to problem for the title.

“From the skin, this may seem like an ideal instance of a group successful with out enjoying nicely – the hallmark of any good facet.

“However the best way Chelsea let Brentford, a facet who had misplaced six of seven on the street, wrestle again management of the sport out of nowhere and are available inches away from getting one thing is one other signal that maturity remains to be creating.

“The Blues have nonetheless come an terrible good distance below Maresca. Whereas their title rivals all have established, skilled names via the backbone of the group, Chelsea are nonetheless on the best way up. They’re getting there, however nonetheless have a solution to go.”

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