Brentford 2 Chelsea 2
Brentford faced Chelsea in a London derby at the Gtech Community Stadium, with The Blues still looking to get over their Carabao Cup final loss last weekend. Pochettino must see the hangman’s noose in the distance by now, with his employers not being known for their patience.
However it was Brentford who created the first chance of the game as Wissa attacked a cross at the near post. He hit his shot first time but could not get enough whip on it as it brushed the side netting on its way wide of the goal.
Enzo Fernandez then played a ball into the path of an unmarked Nicolas Jackson. He took the ball around Flekken but dwelled too long before pulling the trigger. That, and the weak nature of the shot, allowed Brentford to get players back and clear the ball off the line.
Chelsea started to grow in confidence and Gusto whipped in a cross from the touchline, perfectly into the path of Jackson, who headed home to give the visitors the lead. He celebrated by holding his finger to his lips to the Brentford fans who had been giving him stick.
Credit: @ChelseaFC
However, Pochettino’s side seem to have the ability to self-destruct easier than one of Batman’s vehicles. As a cross came into the box, Reguilon and Gusto challenged for the ball, it broke to Roerslev who tucked it past Petrovic to draw his side level.
Toney was creating more for the hosts with his skill and physicality. He found Janelt in the box, whose shot came back off the woodwork when he must have thought he had given his side the lead. The Bees were dominating in the early stages of the second half.
Gusto was having a good game in an attacking sense for The Blues, his pace and delivery was too much for the hosts at times. He laid a cross on a plate for Palmer, who side-footed wide of the goal. For a player of his abilities, it was an absolute sitter.
Reguilon then crossed into the box and Onyeka tried to control it but the ball ballooned into the air. Wissa hit it first time with an overhead kick to give Brentford the lead in explosive style. That will definitely be a goal of the month contender.
Chelsea were on the ropes by this stage and Reguilon should have sealed the win. As he met a cross with a solid header, it hit the foot of the post and went wide with Petrovic well beaten. In a game of fine margins, Thomas Frank hoped his side would not regret that.
Cole Palmer received the ball from Gusto as he dispossessed Brentford’s midfield, deep in their own half. His shot was heading into the bottom corner but Flekken turned it wide, at the expense of a corner. With time running out, The Bees needed to hold firm.
Credit: @ChelseaFC
As the corner came in, the hosts switched off and Disasi had a completely free header at the back post. He thundered it past Flekken to draw the visitors level, it was more than they had deserved on this second half display.
Pochettino’s side could have won the game but Sterling spurned the chance as the Brentford keeper was quick off his line to block the shot. The points were shared, Frank will be disappointed they did not win but there were positives to be taken. If they play like this more often, they will stay up.
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