Chelsea vs Brentford Player Ratings: Cucurella and Jackson score to sink the Bees as Chelsea solidify their position at the top end of the table
Chelsea consolidated their position at the top end of the table after beating Brentford 2-1. Cucurella opened the scoring late in the first half with a fine header. Jackson then doubled the lead in the second half for the Blues. Brentford set up a nervy finale as Mbuemo pulled one at the back. However, Chelsea held on to finally beat their bogey team in Brentford after being reduced to 10 men. Chelsea came into this game without a win in 5 games against Brentford. They have only won their first-ever encounter and it’s led us to believe that the Bees are a voodoo team for the Blues. This win takes Chelsea closer to the top of the table as they trail Liverpool by only two points albeit having played a game more. Brentford meanwhile have missed the chance to jump into European places.
The game panned out as expected with Chelsea having a majority of the ball. Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson tested Flekken but weren’t able to beat him. Brentford tried to sit back and hit on the break but couldn’t find a successful release. The opener for the Blues came from an unlikely source late in the first half as Madueke’s curling cross fell onto the head of Cucurella. The Spaniard guided it downwards beyond Flekken’s reach to notch up his first league goal in almost three years. Chelsea then had enough control to take the lead into the tunnel with them.
The second half started on a positive note as Brentford could no longer sit back and went onto attack. Soon Chelsea regained control and Jackson inexplicably missed from six yards out after Sancho set him up. Brentford came the closest when Norgaard volleyed from 15 yards out and Sanche proved equal to it by tipping it away. Soon, in true Jackson way, he almost curled a shot in from 25 yards out. Fabio Carvalho then nearly scored with his first touch as he rattled the crossbar from close range. There was no denying Jackson this time as he ran away with Enzo’s pass before catching Flekken napping at his near post.
This goal bought Chelsea some insurance and Maresca turned to his bench to see out the game. But some nerves ensued when Mbuemo pulled one back for the visitors after a well-taken finish past Sanchez. Chelsea then held on after some late pressure from the Bees. Cucurella received a late second yellow card and will miss the next game.
Chelsea Player Ratings vs Brentford
Goalkeeper
Robert Sanchez: 7/10- Rushed on to thwart a major opening for Brentford but the flag went up anyway to his benefit. However, looks questionable with the ball at his feet. Made a stunning save to deny Norgaard.
Defenders
Malo Gusto: 6.5/10- Gusto was fully tasked with breaking a tight defence down. He offered support to Madueke by overlapping and underlapping as and when needed.
Tosin Adarabioyo: 6/10- He was marking Wissa tightly in the first half. Had no major interventions to make in the first half. Was easily beaten by Mbuemo in a foot race as he got one back for the Bees.
Levi Colwill: 7/10- Did well to deny a few attempted crosses into the middle from Brentford.
Marc Cucurella: 8.5/10- All his attacking hunger paid off when he headed Madueke’s cross home. Timed his run like a seasoned midfielder and guided the cross down into the net. Received an unnecessary second yellow card and would miss the next game.
Midfielders
Moises Caicedo: 7/10- Kept sweeping up Brentford’s clearances and gave Chelsea more freedom to attack. Attempted an ambitious acrobatic overhead kick with no success.
Enzo Fernandez: 7.5/10- The Argentine is enjoying this advanced role in the lineup. With little defensive burden, he is attacking the box with more aggression.
Noni Madueke: 8/10- Looked lively since the first whistle. Denied by an outstretched leg of Flekken late in the first half. Fired in a lovely cross for Cucurella soon.
Cole Palmer: 7/10- Always looked for openings in open play and posed a superb threat from set pieces. Stung Flekken’s hands with a shot from a rebound. Kept making clever passes and released Sancho into a dangerous position too.
Jadon Sancho: 7.5/10- Revitalised on the left wing, Sancho is linking up well with Cucurella to cause troubles on the left. Finds the side netting with a powerful volley in the first half. Rounded the keeper after being released by Palmer but couldn’t find the finish.
Attackers
Nicolas Jackson: 8/10- Saw an early header go wide inside the opening first three minutes. Shot another huge chance straight into Flekken’s hands. Somehow managed to miss an empty net following Sancho’s cutback. He was not to be denied when he raced on to Enzo’s pass and slotted it past Flekken at his near post.
Substitutes
Christopher Nkunku: 6/10
Manager
Enzo Maresca: 8/10- Has found his best starting lineup recently and is bettering it every game with intelligent tweaks. Enzo’s free role in the attack has been a revelation and trust in Madueke is paying off. However, needs to find the perfect partner for Colwill long term. Will be looking to close down Liverpool soon.
Brentford Player Ratings vs Chelsea
Goalkeeper
Mark Flekken: 6/10- Did well to deny Palmer and Jackson early on, although it has to be said Jackson’s effort was hit straight at him. Shouldve really done better with Chelsea’s second at his near post.
Defenders
Sepp van den Berg: 6/10- Completely mistimed his jump as he let the cross reach Cucurella to be turned home.
Ethan Pinnock: 5.5/10- Long throw-ins to cause some chaos in the Chelsea box were his best actions in the first half. Way too passive as Jackson toyed with him before getting the shot off.
Nathan Collins: 6/10- Lost track of Cucurella and allowed him to get on the goal side for the opener.
Midfielders
Mads Roerslev: 6/10- Always on the move to attack the wide areas and did well to set up Damsgaard in the opening period.
Yegor Yarmolyuk: 6.5/10- Worked hard to win the ball back but couldn’t do much with it. Impressed with his defensive know-how in the box.
Christian Norgaard: 7/10- Lively in the middle of the park with plenty of interceptions. Lacking the incisive passing to get them going. Should have equalised with the volley on the 70th-minute mark.
Mikkel Damsgaard: 6/10- The Dane had the only shot for the Bees in the first half. If not for a brave block from Colwill, it could’ve been the opener.
Keane Lewis-Potter: 6/10- Was frustrated with spending more time in defensive areas rather than the attacking ones where he could hurt the hosts.
Attackers
Bryan Mbuemo: 7/10- Tried linking up with wing-backs on both sides to create some openings. He sometimes backtracked to win possession deep in his own half. Gave Brentford some hope with a well-taken finish after racing onto Schade’s pass.
Yoane Wissa: 5/10- Wissa was very anonymous in the first half and couldn’t find the usual connection he enjoys with Mbuemo tonight.
Substitutes
Vitaly Janelt: 6/10
Kristoffer Ajer: 6/10
Fabio Carvalho: 6.5/10
Kevin Schade: 7/10
Jayden Meghmoma: N/A
Manager
Thomas Frank: 5/10- The usual tactic of sit back and attack has failed against this free-scoring Chelsea side. They looked devoid of creativity when asked to attack. His substitutions partially salvaged the situation but couldn’t save the day.
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Is Chelsea vs Brentford a derby?
Chelsea vs Brentford is a London derby as both clubs are from the city of London
What is Chelsea’s record against Brentford?
Brentford are a bogey team for Chelsea as they dominate Chelsea on a head-to-head in the Premier League. Chelsea in six meetings has the following stats: P6, W1, D2, L3 excluding today
Who was the best player in Chelsea vs Brentford?
Marc Cucurella was the best player in Chelsea vs Brentford
Who was the worst player in Chelsea vs Brentford?
Yoanne Wissa was the worst player in Chelsea vs Brentford