Chelsea vs Brentford: Can Chelsea Win Today?

The Bees experienced a challenging period, failing to secure a victory in six consecutive matches following their 3-0 triumph over Fulham in the second fixture of the season. This stretch included three draws and three losses. However, Thomas Frank's team successfully regained their momentum, clinching a 3-0 victory against Burnley in their latest home match.

Aaron Hickey has returned to Brentford's starting XI after serving a one-match suspension, taking up the position of left wing-back in one of two alterations to the lineup. Mads Roerslev will occupy the right wing-back position, while Neal Maupay and Frank Onyeka will be available from the bench.

On the other hand, Chelsea has made three adjustments to the team that drew with Arsenal. Senegalese forward Nicolas Jackson is back at the forefront of the attack, having recovered from a wrist injury. Axel Disasi and Noni Madueke have been incorporated into the defense and attacking midfield respectively. Notably, Malo Gusto is listed as a substitute, while Enzo Fernandez and Mikhailo Mudryk are surprisingly excluded from the squad.

Let’s take a look at the match highlights now:

First-half begins

• In the 3^rd minute, Brentford have emerged victorious in both of their Premier League away fixtures against Chelsea. Remarkably, no team has managed to secure a win in their first three visits to Stamford Bridge since the inception of the competition.
• In the 4^th minute, opportunity arises! Chelsea swiftly counter-attacks following an unsuccessful long throw from Roerslev. Sterling progresses past the halfway line and delivers the ball to Palmer on his right. Unfortunately, the young player's subsequent cross into the box is slightly behind the England winger, allowing Brentford to avert the danger.
• In the 7^th minute, it’s a missed Opportunity! Cucurella and Jackson work together effectively on the left flank, with the Chelsea striker cutting inside in search of an opening to shoot. Jackson unleashes a shot from the edge of the penalty area, but goalkeeper Flekken confidently allows the ball to drift wide as it curls around the far post.
• In the 9^th minute, there’s an opportunity! Mbeumo finds himself behind the defense thanks to a precise pass from Janelt. However, the angle proves challenging for the Brentford forward, resulting in a strike that rattles the side netting. Mbeumo appeals for a corner, but his plea is in vain. Goalkeeper Sanchez wastes no time in retrieving the ball, eager to initiate a counter-attack.
• In the 10^th minute, it’s so close! Chelsea's counter-attack nearly pays off spectacularly. Sanchez's throw is quickly played forward by Gallagher to Madueke, who then shifts the ball onto his left foot and sends a curling shot towards goal. The attempt leaves goalkeeper Flekken with no chance, but the ball agonizingly rebounds off the crossbar!
• In the 12^th minute, you can see an excellent save! Collins does well to block an attempt from Jackson, yet Chelsea continues to pile on the pressure. Gallagher finds an opening and takes a shot from 25 yards out. Fortunately for Brentford, goalkeeper Flekken is up to the task, expertly parrying the low drive to steer the ball away from danger.
• In the 19^th minute, again a brilliant Save! Chelsea squanders their most clear-cut opportunity to take the lead. Palmer perfectly scoops the ball into the six-yard box, finding Cucurella who arrives in full flight. Unfortunately for Chelsea, Cucurella's volley is directed straight at the midriff of Flekken, who makes a crucial save.
• In the 20^th minute, there’s a missed opportunity! Madueke and Palmer engage in a seamless combination play at the edge of the penalty box, setting up Sterling with an excellent opportunity to score. However, in a surprising turn of events, the winger blasts the ball over the crossbar from close range, squandering a chance that seemed more likely to result in a goal.
• In the 27^th minute, Flekken initiates a Brentford attack by sending a long free-kick into the penalty area. Although Wissa's effort to take a shot is thwarted and cleared, the Bees do not lose momentum. As Jackson spearheads a counter-attack for Chelsea, Brentford defenders Roerslev and Mbeumo showcase their pace, successfully regaining possession for their team.
• In the 32^nd minute, Chelsea secures a consecutive corner on the opposite flank. However, Gallagher's strategy to play a short corner to Palmer is promptly intercepted and neutralized by Mbeumo's attentive defending.
• In the 35^th minute, an opportunity arises! Disasi delivers a fast-paced, low ball directly to the feet of striker Jackson. Unfortunately, Jackson is unable to make a clean connection with the ball, allowing goalkeeper Flekken to quickly dive in and secure possession for the Bees.
• In the 38^th minute, again a missed chance! Chelsea is presented with a golden opportunity as Cucurella floats a cross into the box. Ajer meets the ball with a flicked header, only for it to land at the feet of an unmarked Madueke at the far post. With the goal at his mercy, the winger takes a shot but sends the ball just wide of the right-hand post.
• In the 40^th minute, there’s an opportunity! Madueke does well to execute a cut-back from the byline, finding Cucurella, who has made a timely arrival in the center of the box. However, Cucurella is unable to make solid contact with the ball, resulting in a looping shot that lands directly in the safe hands of goalkeeper Flekken.
• In the 44^th minute, there’s a missed opportunity! Wissa commits a foul on Caicedo at the edge of Brentford's penalty area, thereby conceding a free-kick in a dangerous position, 20 yards from goal. Palmer assumes responsibility for the set-piece, but his attempt to curl the ball into the net is unsuccessful, as it sails over the top of goalkeeper Flekken's goal.

Two minutes added to the half-time.

• In the 47^th minute, Jensen has sustained a foot injury, necessitating the attention of Brentford's medical team for a minute or so. As a result, it is anticipated that additional time will be added to the end of this half to compensate for the stoppage.

Second-half begins!!!

• In the 48^th minute, Palmer expertly delivers a lofted pass to the left flank, connecting with Cucurella in stride. Unfortunately, Cucurella's subsequent cut-back intended for Sterling is intercepted by Ajer, resulting in a corner kick.
• In the 50^th minute, it’s an excellent save! Ajer brilliantly positions himself to receive Roerslev's incisive pass, promptly cutting the ball back into the center. Janelt is perfectly timed to meet the ball and fires a first-time shot towards goal. Unfortunately for Brentford, his effort is directed straight at Sanchez, enabling the Chelsea goalkeeper to make a crucial save.
• In the 54^th minute, you can see an impressive block! Sterling skillfully maneuvers past two defenders and fires a shot from the edge of the penalty area, only to be denied by a fantastic sliding block from Pinnock. The ball propels into the air, but Pinnock remains calm and composed, managing to head it out of Sterling's reach before emphatically clearing it away.
• In the 56^th minute, Sterling's appeal for a penalty following a challenge by Ajer is dismissed, and Brentford subsequently clear the ball towards the right flank. A duel for possession ensues between Cucurella and Mbeumo, resulting in a foul on the Chelsea full-back, who is then awarded a free-kick. In a unique turn of events, Brentford substitute Neal Maupay, who is warming up on the sidelines, impedes the taking of Palmer's free-kick and consequently receives the first yellow card of the game, despite not being on the pitch.
• In the 58^th minute, it’s a goal! Brentford stun the spectators by taking the lead! The sequence begins with a throw-in, followed by an astute one-two combination between Roerslev and Mbeumo down the right flank. Mbeumo then delivers a lofty cross to the back post, where, seemingly out of nowhere, Pinnock emerges to expertly head the ball into the net. Despite Chelsea's multiple attempts on goal, it's Brentford who break the deadlock, leading 1-0 at Stamford Bridge!
• In the 64^th minute, Brentford makes the first substitution of the match, with Jensen making way for Frank Onyeka. This switch is a direct midfield replacement, aimed at maintaining the team's structure while introducing fresh legs into the game.
• In the 66^th minute, Palmer showcases his skill as he embarks on a dynamic run, seamlessly weaving through four defenders en route to the penalty area. Unfortunately, his final touch doesn't match the quality of his approach play, resulting in the ball being gently nudged out of play for a goal-kick.
• In the 67^th minute, following a challenging 67 minutes with missed opportunities in front of the goal, Madueke is substituted off. In his place, Ian Maatsen comes on, ready to infuse energy into the wide attacking positions and make a positive impact on the game.
• In the 70^th minute, there’s an opportunity missed! Mbeumo smartly moves to the left to receive a forward pass from Hickey, and then accurately squares the ball for Wissa inside the penalty box. Positioned well, the Congolese striker has ample space to take a shot, but an unfortunate poor touch robs him of the chance, allowing Chelsea to regain possession.
• In the 76^th minute, Janelt has been a tireless contributor for Brentford, diligently covering ground and contributing both defensively and offensively. However, with 14 minutes remaining, he is substituted off, and Yehor Yarmolyuk is brought on as his replacement. Wissa, who has struggled to find success in the attacking third, is substituted off. In a notable move, Neal Maupay, who is already carrying a yellow card, is brought on as his replacement for the closing stages of the game.
• In the 78^th minute, Caicedo is penalized for a late challenge on Norgaard, leaving his foot in well after the ball has been played. As a result, the Ecuadorian receives the first yellow card of the match for Chelsea.
• In the 80^th minute, Roerslev delivers a lengthy throw into the penalty area, but Chelsea's defense is quick to respond, heading the ball clear. However, Brentford remains vigilant, with Pinnock swiftly moving into a defensive position to stymie any potential counter-attack from Chelsea.
• In the 85^th minute, as Jackson attempts to break away with the ball, he finds himself impeded by Onyeka, who deliberately pulls him back to prevent his progress. The referee has no hesitation in producing a yellow card, penalizing Onyeka for his calculated foul.
• In the 86^th minute, an opportunity arises! Collins gives away a corner, and Gallagher subsequently delivers a precise cross into the penalty area. Silva connects with the ball, directing a glancing header towards the front post that travels across the goalmouth. Jackson is in position but fails to capitalize, as he is unable to steer the ball into the net, prolonging Chelsea's quest for a goal.
• In the 90^th minute, it’s a spectacular save! Sanchez comes to Chelsea's rescue during a perilous counter-attack by Brentford. Finding themselves in a favorable four-on-one situation, Mbeumo slips the ball to Yarmolyuk inside the penalty area. However, Sanchez rises to the occasion, making himself large and executing a crucial save to thwart the attempt and keep Chelsea in contention.

Six minutes added to the game!

• In the 95^th minute, Roerslev demonstrates his defensive prowess by successfully blocking Ugochukwu's shot, resulting in a corner for Chelsea. However, Ghoddos intentionally delays the taking of the corner, a move that does not go unnoticed by the referee, resulting in a yellow card for Ghoddos.
• In the 96^th minute, it’s a goal!!! In an astonishing turn of events, Brentford seals their victory with a late goal that takes full advantage of Chelsea's aggressive tactics. Following a Chelsea corner, Sanchez, the goalkeeper, has pushed up the field, leaving the goal unguarded. Brentford capitalizes as Maupay gains possession and carries the ball past the halfway line, with Sanchez giving futile chase. Mbeumo is perfectly positioned to receive Maupay's pass and easily taps the ball into the empty net, securing a 2-0 lead and clinching the victory for Brentford.
• In the last minute of the game, the Brentford players are rightfully exuberant in their celebrations following their second goal. However, Norgaard gets a bit carried away in the moment and crosses the line, resulting in the referee showing him a yellow card.

And that’s it! The game is now over. Brentford sealed the game with 2-0 and Chelsea really had a disappointing game. They will have to go back and analyze what went wrong and come back strong in the next game. So, let’s stay tuned and get to know what’s going to happen next!