Key events
Ben Fisher was at Stamford Bridge. Here’s his report. Thanks for reading this MBM.
Mauricio Pochettino’s turn. “It is difficult to accept the defeat because in the first half we dominated, played really well and created chances … Brentford didn’t do what they planned, we were so, so good … but of course you need to score and be clinical … when that didn’t happen you need some luck … we conceded the first chance and then it was difficult to break down the block … it’s about confidence, better decisions … too many things, too many factors … we have suffered this since the beginning of the season, the team play well and create chances … we were the better side but in the end we conceded two goals … really, really, really disappointed … I am not happy, the players and the club is not happy about the run [at Stamford Bridge, now one win in 13] … we need to change that dynamic.”
Thomas Frank speaks to TNT. “There is no doubt Chelsea were better than us in the first half … I was also disappointed with our performance … it was an average performance at best … but in the second half we really upped the level in the way we defended … more coolness, more quality on the ball … we started to create chances … I was very pleased with that … we kept Chelsea quiet which is quite impressive with the offensive power they have.”
Eleventh-placed Chelsea’s next six Premier League fixtures, presented without comment. Tottenham (a), Manchester City (h), Newcastle (a), Brighton (h), Manchester United (a), Everton (a).
Man-of-the-match Ethan Pinnock talks to TNT. “First half we struggled to get out … we knew we would be under the cosh for long periods so we worked on it all week and the boys stuck to their task … we thought we could get at them at set pieces and on the counter, and that’s the way it worked … there was a big defensive focus, to try to stifle them … we knew the longer the game went on, we could grow into it … we try to look forward and not back.”
Hats off to Neal Maupay, incidentally. He’s gone 32 games without a goal, so to unselfishly tee up his pal Mbeumo on the counter, right at the death, shows remarkable restraint and commitment to team spirit. “Chelsea could have bought Scott McTominay for around £40 million in the summer,” adds Rick Harris. “Just saying.”
Bryan Mbeumo, with a goal and an assist to his name today, speaks to TNT. “Before the game we wanted to come and win … I don’t think many teams beat them here three times in a row … we are very happy … [the supporters] love us, we love them, and we’re very happy to give them the joy … we have so much quality and we will try to win many games again … we want to aim as big as we can.”
Mauricio Pochettino’s face is a grim picture. Hands still in pockets, but this time he’s not exuding any super-cool; he’s deep in thought and not a happy man at all. Neither are the Chelsea supporters, who are leaving, to borrow a phrase from Flann O’Brien, in that lofty vehicle, high dudgeon. Their team is a mess. Chelsea were out-fought and out-thought by Brentford today, who go above them in the Premier League table. News of Brentford’s demise – and more to the point, Chelsea’s revival – appears to have been greatly exaggerated.
FULL TIME: Chelsea 0-2 Brentford
Brentford do a number on Chelsea at the Bridge again! Chelsea are booed off.
90 min +7: Norgaard is booked during the celebratory melee, like he cares.
GOAL! Chelsea 0-2 Brentford (Mbeumo 90 +6)
Ajer heads the corner clear. Mbeumo wins a challenge with Maatsen, and suddenly Maupay and Mbuemo are tearing clear on the unguarded goal! Maupay reaches the edge of the box, and when he feels the desperately recovering Sanchez on his shoulder, rolls across for Mbuemo who taps into an empty net!
90 min +5: A cross loops into the Brentford box from the left. It drops to James on the right. His drive is blocked by Ghoddos. Corner, for which Sanchez comes up. And from that …
90 min +4: Brentford continue to hold their shape. Chelsea and their fans so frustrated.
90 min +3: Quite a few Chelsea fans leaving early. Brentford so close to their third win at Stamford Bridge in a row! “Looks like the wheels have come off the bus for Chelsea and their next three PL games look eminently lose-able,” writes Rick Harris. “A relegation battle?”
90 min +2: Corner for Chelsea down the left. Pulled back for Maatsen, whose attempted shot is blocked.
90 min +1: There will be six minutes of Scott McTominay Time.
90 min: … Yarmolyuk is sent clear! He smashes his shot straight at Sanchez, who nevertheless saves brilliantly. The ball’s recycled down the right and crossed low. Mbeumo fizzes a low drive millimetres wide of the right-hand post. Brentford so close to securing the three points!
89 min: Before the corner can be taken, Chelsea coach Jesus Perez is red-carded for something said to the fourth official. Then Brentford counter, and …
88 min: Silva rolls a clever pass down the right for James, who crosses low. The ball rolls slowly through the six-yard box. Neither Palmer nor Washington can connect for what surely would have been an equaliser. Collins taps out for a corner.
87 min: Chelsea aren’t exactly stress-testing Brentford right now. Thing is, Brentford must surely have some collective scar tissue from the late smash-and-grab by Manchester United at Old Trafford. Can the hosts play on Brentford nerves?
86 min: Corner for Chelsea down the right. Gallagher sends it in. Silva flashes a header wide left. Had somebody in blue taken a gamble and made a run, they could have trundled that in at the far stick. Silva suggests as much to his team-mates as Brentford prepare to take their goal kick.
85 min: Onyeka takes a yellow for the team, cynically hanging out a leg to stop an in-flight Jackson.
84 min: Hickey is replaced by Ghoddos.
83 min: Sterling crosses from the left but Gallagher can’t get near it at the far post. Goal kick.
81 min: Cucurella and Caicedo make way for the teenage duo of Washington and Ugochukwu.
80 min: Roerslev takes his sweet time over a throw deep in Chelsea territory down the right. His antics annoy everyone connected with Chelsea, both on the pitch and in the stands. Brentford pushing all of Chelsea’s buttons. At least the long throw comes to nought.
78 min: Norgaard is clattered late by Caicedo. Proper studs on shin there. You’ve seen reds given for less, but it’s just a yellow. To repeat: nobody knows anything any more.
76 min: Brentford make a double change. Maupay and the Ukrainian teenager Yarmolyuk come on for Wissa and Janelt. Maupay already on a booking, of course.
74 min: James chips a pass down the inside-right channel. Did the ball clank off Hickey’s arm? Nope. Chest. The Chelsea appeals betray their frustration.
73 min: James fizzes in a cross from the right. Jackson can’t control and Brentford clear. “Ethan Pinnock’s career is remarkable,” writes Kári Tulinius. “He was still playing for Dulwich Hamlet at age 23, and now at 30 he’s one of the most dependable centre-backs in the Premier League. There can’t be many like him, but perhaps there would be if more got a chance.”
72 min: Chelsea probe but in a very sterile style. There’s no way through Brentford right now.
70 min: Mbeumo crosses low from the left for Onyeka, who would have a shot at goal from 12 yards but for Colwill’s anticipation and big toe. Chelsea counter through Maatsen down the right. His cross is easily snaffled by Flekken.
69 min: Chelsea pin Brentford back, but Maatsen impatiently lunges into Norgaard and the free kick releases the pressure on the visitors.
Credit: Source link
