Brentford vs Chelsea Review: Bees sting late to frustrate under-par Blues.

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When Moises Caicedo’s thunderbolt nestled into the Brentford net, created by debutant Alejandro Garnacho’s sneaky cutback into the box, it seemed like Chelsea’s reliable South American nexus had delivered again. Thomas Frank gone, Bryan Mbeumo gone, Yoanne Wissa gone. Surely 3 points had snatched from the abyss despite the post-international break dip?

Bernardo Cueva may have been sitting in the Chelsea dugout, but his spirit was well and truly alive in that of his former side. Kayode and co. launched throw-ins like grenades all evening, each one sending the Chelsea defence scrambling frantically to deal with them. In stoppage time one bounced through to the far post to Carvalho, and 3 points were blown apart to leave just the one.

Rotation Issues

Those reasons would have been hard to elucidate on for Maresca. Estevao, like many others who play at El Alto Stadium (located 4,100m/13,615 ft above sea level), was ruled out due to illness bought about by altitude sickness. With Cole Palmer being eased in after his groin injury and Delap out for 10-12 weeks, there were gaping holes in the forward line. There was also one precarious eye kept on Bayern in midweek. With Reece James and Marc Cucurella both playing twice in the international break, Maresca gambled on surviving one half before sending in the cavalry for the second.

All those plans were thrown into disarray after a goal that proved near identical to the one conceded against Fulham. Trevoh Chalobah ventured into the opposition half and Tosin was left 1v1 vs two forwards who sold him feints quite easily before cutting onto their stronger foot to score. Reece James referenced post-game that they were ‘prepared for that,' but that’s two identical transitions that have proved otherwise.

Wesley Fofana, Jorrel Hato and Jamie Gittens all struggled significantly due to lack of match sharpness. Buonanotte sparkled in spells despite having to dance in Palmer’s massive shoes. Three of those four were replaced at the break while Gittens was subbed before the hour, leaving all to be done in the last half-an-hour.

Reinforcements

In the first 60 minutes, Chelsea managed only 7 shots. In the last half-an-hour they managed 9, five of them coming via the returning Cole Palmer. Joao Pedro notched his 5th goal contribution in his fourth PL game to set up Palmer’s finish, which took him to 8th in Chelsea’s list of all time PL scorers, level with Nicolas Anelka. Palmer hit that mark in his 72nd game, Anelka took a 125.

It could easily have been three or four by the time that long throw in came in from Brentford. Pedro Neto suddenly found the CWC setting on his output dial and ran riot down the right. An excellent low cross to the far post was attacked went wasted, with Neto visibly upset no one had mirrored his effort to create it. Another instance saw him cut inside and unleash a fiery shot on goal, which was heroically blocked by Pinnock. In the end, Brentford could argue they deserved their point, trumping Chelsea on xG 1.43 - 1.25. The result made it 1 win in 8 games against the Bees, who have made it a habit of making any result sting long term.

Questions, Questions

While Palmer’s return is welcome relief, Maresca will find himself confronted by far more serious questions. Brentford, who had played a back 4 in their first three games, switched to a back 5. Joao Pedro has faced two back 5s and struggled against them both. Maresca moved Tyrique to CF again but it is not a move that would trouble Bayern much or one he can be reliant on for the 3 months Delap is expected out for. Is the Tosin-Chalobah pairing at the back adequate? Are Badiashile or Acheampong capable of making one of those spots their own? December still feels a long way away, and the fixture list will get a lot more intense for the Blues from here on. Encouragingly, that’s exactly where Chelsea have thrived in recent months. Extending this nine-game unbeaten streak against Bayern is a challenge worth accepting.