Chelsea vs Brentford LIVE: Premier League newest rating and updates as Bryan Mbeumo units up thrilling end
Chelsea will look to keep up their pursuit of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League as they face fellow west London club Brentford in a rare Sunday night Premier League fixture.
A strong start under Enzo Maresca has seen the hosts establish themselves as perhaps the top flight’s form side and the likeliest to test Arne Slot’s league leaders until the end of the season. With Cole Palmer in sensational form and a young squad gelling impressively, their Italian manager may bat away suggestions his team are in the title race but their candidacy as challengers is hard to refute.
There will be wariness, though, of the threat that Brentford pose. While their outstanding home form has rather been undermined by a woeful record on the road, a short trip to Stamford Bridge should provide fewer challengers and a chance to continue climbing the table in a condensed group of clubs in the top half.
Follow all of the latest from Stamford Bridge, plus updates from Southampton vs Tottenham, in our live blog below:
Chelsea 2-1 Brentford
A waste for Brentford as Cucurella is brought down and wins a free-kick while defending the ball in. That could be that for the hosts!
Chelsea 2-1 Brentford
Caicedo brings Collins down near halfway and Brentford will have a chance to put the ball in the box late on. It looks like Flekken will deliver…
Cucurella deals with the first and second ball, before Sancho takes the ball upfield. However, moments later the Spaniard is booked for flying in on Carvalho.
Chelsea 2-1 Brentford
Chelsea break forward and Palmer almost manages to slip it though to Gusto, but the Frenchman doesn’t have the pace to capitalise. No matter though, as Caicedo wins a free-kick near the box.
GOAL! Chelsea 2-1 Brentford
GOAL! Out of nothing, Brentford have a lifeline.
It comes from a Chelsea throw in the opposition half too, as Caicedo is dispossessed before the pass is slipped into the path of Bryan Mbeumo. He’s one-on-one and he surges towards goal before slipping a composed finish past Sanchez.
There’ll be seven minutes of time added on here!
Chelsea 2-0 Brentford
This match is just petering out at the moment, with Chelsea approaching another deserved home win.
Chelsea 2-0 Brentford
Palmer swings in a good cross to the near post from a free-kick, and Tosin meets it with a good header, but it flies wide.
Chelsea 2-0 Brentford
Half a chance for Brentford as Janelt’s ball in misses it’s target but runs into the path of Mbeumo. Once again though, it’s good play from Sanchez to close the angle and get to the ball first.
Chelsea 2-0 Brentford
Jackson is replaced by Nkunku, and his work is done after a mixed day.
Chelsea 2-0 Brentford
Jackson’s finish gives Chelsea the cushion and boy did they need it. The Bees could and should have been level, from a narrow escape due to offside as Wissa went clear, to Norgaard’s volley while unmarked in the box, Carvalho then clattered the bar. But that breakaway counter thanks to Fernandez was always likely as Frank’s side got a little greedy in search of the equaliser. Jackson given a standing ovation as Nkunku is sent on. And the tension inside the ground escapes just like that.
GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Brentford
GOAL! The hosts have surely wrapped it up!
Right after wasting a chance, it’s great work from Jackson as he latches onto a through ball from Fernandez near halfway. He drives towards goal, stands up the defender and rifles in an effort at the near post for 2-0!
