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Ben Chilwell scored in all three of his Premier League games for Chelsea. This is more than he did in any of his 33 previous appearances in this competition.
Chelsea reclaimed the Premier League top spot after Ben Chilwell's strike and some hard work to withstand intense late pressure secured victory at Brentford, west London neighbours.
After Liverpool's win over Watford on Saturday, Thomas Tuchel's team responded with a determined display against their promoted opponents.
England's left-back Chilwell scored the winning goal in the second half. This was his third goal in as many games for both club and country.
Although the European champions won the first half, they had to work hard to win the third league match between the two clubs after 74 years.
If Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo had scored instead of hitting the Blues woodwork twice either side of Chilwell, the outcome might have been different.
After a chaotic final 15 minutes, Brentford was throwing everything at their opponents. Chelsea's goalkeeper Edouard Mendy made two brave saves. Trevoh Chalobah, Blues defender, also cleared the line.
Senegal's international Mendy also tip-toed over an acrobatic attempt by Christian Norgaard, Bees midfielder, in injury-time. The Blues goalkeeper celebrated the victory with his teammates at the last whistle while relieved fans sang their joy.
Tuchel stated, "In the end the last 20 minutes were suddenly considered a cup match and they had nothing left to lose."
"They gained momentum, it felt like they had one less player. They were more confident and focused on defending.
"I was satisfied with the first 65-70 minute and we should have scored more. Respect Brentford.
Chilwell seizes his chance at Chelsea
Brentford 0-1 Chelsea: "We needed luck in the final," says Tuchel
Chilwell, a 24-year-old from Chilwell, was largely restricted to a spot on the Chelsea bench in the first half of the season. Marcos Alonso's recovery earned him the left-wing-back slot in Tuchel’s Premier League lineup.
Tuchel claimed it was "no great drama", and it seemed probable that a player of Chilwell’s calibre would take his part throughout the season.
Chilwell spoke about "taking your chances" afterwards. Recent form suggests that he has done just that. He scored in the 3-1 victory over Southampton, and then scored again in England's 5-0 win in Andorra.
Referred to Alonso again against Brentford, the Leicester 50m signing continued his fine streak of scoring with a confident and sharp left-foot strike.
He was not only the winner, but he was also part of a defense unit that remained firm under pressure despite the absence of key players.
Thiago Silva, a veteran centre-back, was absent after playing against Uruguay in a World Cup qualifier. Antonio Rudiger, a Germany international was also injured.
Malang Sarr, 22 years old, was given his league debut in a back trio that also contained Chalobah, another youngster inexperienced, and Andreas Christensen.
It was extremely difficult. "The last 20 minutes were the most difficult," Chilwell stated.
"It was hell on Earth for the last 20 minutes, but we did pretty well. Eddy [Mendy] is to be commended, he was incredible. He saved us three points at the end with his incredible saves.
"It's a pleasure to be on the scoresheet, and to have scored the goal that ended the game. But we showed our defensive steel."
Chelsea has conceded only three goals in their eight Premier League matches this season. They have kept five clean sheets.
Frank: "There should only have been one winner"
"Chelsea are very very, very, very fortunate" - Frank was impressed by the Brentford display
Since being promoted to the Premier League, Brentford has impressed pundits and fans alike. They came away with a lot of credit, despite losing the match.
Chilwell's goal was a reward for a half in which Chelsea had dominance without creating many clear-cut chances.
Brentford was hesitant to take the initiative on the front foot, and they struggled to assert themselves in the Chelsea third.
The Bees did a lot better in the last half hour, and they will be disappointed not to have earned at least one point.
The hosts were able to press more of their makeshift Chelsea defence with a higher level of intensity. Thomas Frank's tactical tweaks and substitutions helped his side push back against the European champions.
Their dominance was clearly shown in the final stages of the statistics.
The Bees scored 15 goals in the second period, 12 of which were in the final 11 minute. They also spent nearly 40% of the 15 remaining minutes in Chelsea's third quarter.
Although it didn't score an equaliser it earned Frank's team a standing ovation from home fans at the last whistle. It keeps them in seventh after an encouraging start in the Premier League.
Frank said, "If you look at the 90 minutes, there can only one winner – and that's we."
"We kept the European champions and number one side to five shots. We were able to defeat them in the end. They were blessed with a fortunate win."
Mendy, the player of the match Mendy doird Mendy had an average of 8.89 Brentford Brentford Brentford
Chelsea Chelsea Chelsea Brentford Avg Squad number 17 Player name Toney Average rating 7.21 Squad number 1 Player name Raya Average rating 6.88 Squad number 6 Player name Nrgaard Average rating 6.85 Squad number 19 Player name Mbeumo Average rating 6.82 Squad number 22 Player name M Jorgensen Average rating 6.77 Squad number 5 Player name Pinnock Average rating 6.64 Squad number 8 Player name Jensen Average rating 6.64 Squad number 9 Player name Forss Average rating 6.57 Squad number 14 Player name Ghoddos Average rating 6.57 Squad number 15 Player name Onyeka Average rating 6.40 Squad number 18 Player name Jansson Average rating 6.40 Squad number 3 Player name Henry Average rating 6.39 Squad number 7 Player name Cans Average rating 6.36 Chelsea Avg Squad number 16 Player name Mendy Average rating 8.89 Squad number 21 Player name Chilwell Average rating 7.88 Squad number 4 Player name Christensen Average rating 7.49 Squad number 7 Player name Kant Average rating 7.35 Squad number 12 Player name Loftus-Cheek Average rating 7.31 Squad number 14 Player name Chalobah Average rating 7.21 Squad number 31 Player name Sarr Average rating 7.11 Squad number 28 Player name Azpilicueta Average rating 6.82 Squad number 11 Player name Werner Average rating 6.68 Squad number 8 Player name Kovacic Average rating 6.54 Squad number 19 Player name Mount Average rating 6.28 Squad number 24 Player name James Average rating 6.14 Squad number 9 Player name Lukaku Average rating 5.97 Squad number 29 Player name Havertz Average rating 5.73
Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text Line-ups Brentford Formation 3-5-2 1 Raya 22 M Jorgensen 18 Jansson 5 Pinnock 7 Cans 15 Onyeka 6 Nrgaard 8 Jensen 3 Henry 19 Mbeumo 17 Toney 1 Raya
22 M Jorgensen
18 Jansson
5 Pinnock
7 Cans booked at 32mins. Substituted to Ghoddos for 72' minutes
15 Onyeka Substituted for Forss at 67' minutes
6 Nrgaard
8 Jensen
3 Henry
19 Mbeumo
17 Toney Substitutes for 2 Thompson
4 Goode
9 Forss
14 Ghoddos
20 Ajer
28 Bidstrup
30 Roerslev
33 Maghoma
40 Fernndez Chelsea Formation 3-5-2 16 Mendy 4 Christensen 28 Azpilicueta 14 Chalobah 5 Christensen 41 Sarr 28 Azpilicueta 17 Kant 12 LoftusCheek 8 Kovacic 11 Chilwell 11 Werner 16 Mendy
14 Chalobah
4 Christensen
31 Sarr
28 Azpilicueta Substituted to James at 89' Minutes
7 Kant
12 Loftus-Cheek
8 Kovacic Booksed at 18mins Mount Substituted at 65' Minutes
21 Chilwell
11 Werner
Substitute 9 Lukaku for Havertz at 7:57' minutes Substitute 1 Arrizabalaga
3 Alonso
5 Jorginho
17 Sal
18 Barkley
19 Mount
20 Hudson-Odoi
24 James
29 Havertz Referee: Anthony Taylor. Match Stats Live Text Post Update Match ends, Brentford 0. Chelsea 1. Full Time Second half ends at Brentford 0, Chelsea Update: Attempt blocked. Christian Nrgaard (Brentford), header is blocked from the middle of the box. Update: Attempt blocked. Saman Ghoddos' (Brentford), right footed shot outside the box is stopped. Update: Attempt blocked. Christian Nrgaard (Brentford), header from the middle of the box is blocked. Mathias Jensen assisted with a cross. Brentford, Post-update Corner Conceded to by douard Mendy. Post-update: Attempt saved. Christian Nrgaard (Brentford), right footed shot from centre box. Saved in top right corner Zanka assisted with a head pass. Post update: Reece James (Chelsea), wins a free kick at the defensive end. Post update Foul by Christian Nrgaard, Brentford Substitution Substitution Chelsea. Reece James replaces Csar Azpilicueta. Post update Attempt missed. Christian Nrgaard (Brentford), right footed shot outside the box misses the right Post update: Attempt saved. Pontus Jansson, Brentford) is saved in the middle of the goal with a right-footed shot from very near range. Ethan Pinnock assisted with a head pass. Post-update: Attempt blocked. Christian Nrgaard (Brentford), right footed shot, from the left side the box is blocked Post-update: Attempt saved. Ethan Pinnock (Brentford), header from the middle of the box is saved in top centre of goal. Rico Henry assisted with a cross. Update: Attempt blocked. Christian Nrgaard (Brentford), left footed shot from centre of box is blocked Post-update: Attempt saved. Saman Ghoddos' (Brentford), right-footed shot from right side box to the centre of goal. Post update: Attempt saved. Saman Ghoddos' (Brentford), right-footed shot from outside of the box is saved in central goal Update: Attempt blocked. Marcus Forsss (Brentford), left footed shot taken from outside the box is stopped. Post update Foul by Timo Werner, Chelsea Christian Nrgaard (Brentford), wins a free kick during the defensive half. Page 1 of 5 Rewind Previous Navigate to Next Navigate To The Last Page Forward
