Brentford ends Chelsea’s mini-revival
Chelsea fell to a third home defeat of the season as Brentford maintained its 100 per cent Premier League record at Stamford Bridge with a deserved 2-0 victory.
Ethan Pinnock took advantage of non-existent marking to head the visitors in front shortly before the hour mark after Mauricio Pochettino’s side had failed to take advantage of a first half in which it dominated.
Thereafter there was little genuine attacking threat nor hope of salvation, as the hosts took a worrying backwards step towards the goal-shy, hesitant play that characterised the manager’s early games.
Robert Sanchez was embarrassed in stoppage-time after joining his team’s attack for a corner, failing to catch Neal Maupay in a foot race as he broke with the ball, allowing Bryan Mbeumo to score in an empty net to compound home fans’ woes.
Chelsea’s dire form at Stamford Bridge now stands at one win in its past 13 games in the league, with August’s victory over Luton Town its only success at home in seven months.
