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It’s not as hard to win at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea make it look. Just ask Brentford.
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 the fear factor for opposing sides is long gone, one of many issues Mauricio Pochettino has to try and fix.
It is now just one league win in 13 on their patch – and that against newly-promoted Luton – a run going back to March, and three throughout the whole of 2023.
It certainly does not help when they are arguing among themselves.
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.
Jackson replied with a finger to his mouth in the direction of the crowd.
Mauricio Pochettino took exception too and fired back at the fans, 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 for entering Brentford’s technical area and also exposed their annoyance.
As the game wore on there was less and less for Chelsea fans to get excited about and they were booed off again.
After the encouraging display for most of the draw against Arsenal, Chelsea failed to build on a promising first half against Brentford and eventually ran out of ideas.
They had more of the ball but Brentford had the better chances, displaying increasing intent as the game wore on, 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, breakaway second.
Given Brentford’s record here, it was no surprise there was well-placed belief and expectation whenever they did attack but Chelsea looked the more likely scorers for most of the first half.
Cole Palmer was central to Chelsea’s most positive moments.
Their final summer signing has quickly established himself as an essential part of Pochettino’s team, impressing with his versatility, maturity, and willingness to take responsibility.
He has two goals and two assists for Chelsea so far and certainly should have had more of the latter from the first half.
He created chances for Noni Madueke, who hit the bar, Raheem Sterling, twice, and Marc Cucurella.
Palmer also bent a free-kick over the bar while Jackson and Conor Gallagher had Mark Flekken worried from distance.
At the halfway stage there only looked like one winner.
Frank described his side’s display as ‘average, if not less than that,’ while he raved about Chelsea.
‘You can see the exciting potential in the Chelsea team,’ he said. ‘If I was associated with Chelsea I would be positive about them. I know it’s about results but I’m convinced that will come.’
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