Chelsea 0-2 Brentford: Blues’ home woes continue as goals by Ethan Pinnock and Bryan Mbeumo secure win for Bees in west London derby

• Brentford stalled Chelsea’s revival with a win over the Blues at Stamford Bridge
• Ethan Pinnock opened the scoring before Bryan Mbeumo’s finish late on 
• Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off! ‘

Brentford are make winning at Stamford Bridge look far simpler than Chelsea are managing to right now.

For the third year running Thomas Frank’s side came to Chelsea and left with all three points, something the Blues have seemingly forgotten how to do.

The aura of old that this place once held and fear factor for opposing sides is long gone, one of many issues new head coach Mauricio Pochettino has to try and fix.

It is now just one win in 13 on their own patch – and that against newly-promoted Luton – a run going back to March, and three in the league throughout the whole of 2023.

It certainly does not help when they are arguing among themselves.

Brentford gained bragging rights in the west London derby with a 2-0 win over Chelsea 

Ethan Pinnock’s struck a header in the backpost to give the Bees the lead before the hour mark

Chelsea revival has been stalled as their poor form at Stamford Bridge this season continues

Frustration was already brewing towards the end of a goalless first half when, during a break in play, one supporter targeted striker Nicolas Jackson, demanding more from him.

MATCH FACTS AND RATINGS

CHELSEA (4-2-3-1): Sanchez 7.5; Disasi 6 (James 67, 6), Silva 8, Colwilll 6, Cucurella 7 (Washington 81); Gallagher 7, Caicedo 7 (Ugochukwu 85); Madueke 6.5 (Maatsen 67, 6), Palmer 8, Sterling 6.5; Jackson 6.

Subs not used: Beach, Petrovic, Badiashile, Gusto, Matos.

Booked: Caicedo

Manager: Mauricio Pochettino 6

BRENTFORD (3-5-2): Flekken 7.5; Ajer 7.5, Pinnock 8, Collins 6.5; Roerslev 7, Jensen 7.5 (Onyeka 63, 7), Norgaard 8, Janelt 7 (Yarmolyuk 76), Hickey 7 (Ghoddos 84); Mbeumo 6.5, Wissa 7 (Maupay 76).

Subs not used: Strakosha

Scorer: Pinnock 58, Mbeumo 90

Booked: Maupay, Onyeka, Ghoddos, Noorgard

Referee: Simon Hooper 5

 

Jackson replied with a finger to his mouth.

Pochettino took exception too and fired back at the fan, telling them to support the team.

Later on there was another spat between Pochettino’s no.2 Jesus Perez and Bernardo Cueva, a member of Frank’s backroom team which saw the Chelsea man sent off and also exposed the sense of annoyance in the Blues’ camp.

In truth, Pochettino’s players did not give their fans too much to get excited about and they were inevitably booed off again.

After the encouraging display against Arsenal, even in throwing away a two-goal lead late on, this was a pedestrian performance short on inspiration, opportunities and intent outside of Cole Palmer. Chelsea hogged the ball but Brentford had the better chances.

There was far more intent on the occasions when Brentford raided forward, not least in the urgency Ethan Pinnock showed to climb above Chelsea’s dozing defenders and head in the visitors’ opener before Bryan Mbeumo added an injury time second.

Brentford won their previous two visits so there was well-placed belief and expectation whenever they did raid forward.

That was probably not enough for Thomas Frank’s liking with a late, half sight of goal for Aaron Hickey their most dangerous moment.

The rest of the half, was all Chelsea with the nearly moments. Nicolas Jackson combined with Marc Cucurella down the left, cut inside and then fired wide of Mark Flekken’s goal.

Cole Palmer then became central to all of Chelsea’s most positive moments.

He led one counter attack after some sharp goalkeeping from Robert Sanchez, clipped the ball wide to Noni Madueke who curled his effort against the bar.

His inswinging deliveries were proving dangerous with chances created for Raheem Sterling, twice, including one that led to a penalty appeal, and Marc Cucurella.

Bryan Mbeumo continued his bright start to the season with a goal in the dying moments

The striker sidefooted the ball into an empty net after Robert Sanchez went up for a corner

Palmer also bent a free-kick just over and poked a pass through to Sterling who thrashed over.

Conor Gallagher extended Flekken with an effort from distance that Brentford’s goalkeeper shovelled away.

While they had the better openings, Chelsea’s performance lacked the zip of most of their performance against Arsenal and frustrations boiled over just before the break when the fan spat broke out.

Pochettino’s mood would have worsened significantly early in the second half had Brentford taken the best chance they had created up to that point.

Brentford worked the ball down the right to Kristoffer Ajer whose volleyed cut back was met firmly by the incoming Vitaly Janelt but the midfielder’s effort was kept out by Sanchez’s left arm.

Chelsea struggled to breakdown a stubborn Brentford defence in Saturday’s derby 

It was a warning of what was to come. Almost ten minutes later Brentford had the ball in that same right hand corner, this time Mathias Jensen slipping Bryan Mbeumo in behind Chelsea’s defence.

He dug out a cross which Chelsea had bodies at the backpost to deal with.

But they left it to each other and Pinnock came flying in to nod Brentford into the lead.

Chelsea continued to dominate but saw Thiago Silva’s header flash across goal and Palmer and Deivid Washington the fail to make firm enough connection with a right-wing cross to level.

Bees boss Frank Thomas has now guided his side to back-toback wins at Stamford Bridge 

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino was left frustrated before being sent off in the second half 

And their failure to level was eventually punished. Again there were warnings from Brentford.

Firstly when they raced clear for a four versus one counter attack and Yehor Yarmolyuk was thwarted by Sanchez and then when Mbeumo sidefooted Neal Maupay’s cross wide.

The third time there was no escape for Chelsea. They had everybody up for a late corner including goalkeeper Sanchez but Brentford cleared and Maupay streaked away and teed up Mbeumo to score into an empty net. Cue exodus from the home fans and wild celebration from the away ones.

 

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