Chelsea took benefit of their rivals’ slip-ups to maneuver two factors off the highest of the Premier League however made arduous work of a slim 2-1 win over Brentford.
The Blues didn’t make the identical mistake as Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester Metropolis who had all dropped factors at house earlier within the weekend, however ended up hanging on to victory in opposition to a Bees aspect who had picked up just one away level all season.
They took a deserved lead into the break when Marc Cucurella nodded in his first Premier League objective for the Blues minutes earlier than the interval, having dominated the opening half with out creating a lot in the best way of clear-cut probabilities.
Nicolas Jackson ought to have put the sport to mattress on the hour mark when he ballooned the influential Jadon Sancho’s cross over from six yards out, and with out that the Blues’ slim lead all the time remained precarious.
Brentford got here so shut to creating them pay as momentum started to shift and Christian Norgaard pulled an excellent finger-tip cease out of Robert Sanchez, earlier than Fabio Carvalho’s sliding effort bounced down off the bar, no various inches from crossing the road.
Enzo Maresca’s celebrations which greeted Jackson’s thunderous second after a fast counter-attack summed up the reduction round Stamford Bridge with 10 minutes left as Chelsea lastly gave themselves a cushion to defend.
However even then, a hospital move of a throw from Cucurella to Moises Caicedo noticed a Brentford counter completed off stylishly by Bryan Mbeumo, leaving the Blues to see out a nervy seven minutes of added time earlier than they may lastly have a good time stealing a march on their title rivals with victory.
Cucurella’s wonderful night ended on a bitter notice after the full-time whistle when the goalscorer was proven a second yellow card for an altercation with Kevin Schade.
Maresca: Title winners do not concede that kind of objective
Chelsea supervisor Enzo Maresca:
“No matter how many games we win, I think we are not ready to compete for the title. One of the reasons why is I think that teams who know how to win titles won’t concede goals like we did.
“ninetieth minute, our attacking throw-in. For those who do not consider me, or suppose I simply say it – I might love the stress to compete. However we’re not prepared for a lot of causes, and one of many causes is we can’t concede the objective we conceded. It opened the sport up.”
On Marc Cucurella’s red card: “The second yellow card was for unhealthy perspective, the referee informed me. When the ultimate whistle went I used to be with the teaching workers celebrating, so I did not see something.
“He was top together with the other 10. They were fantastic, and we are happy with Marc’s performance. At the end of the game, the game is finished, we can manage the moment in a different way. But it’s an experience for the players to learn.”
Frank: Chelsea celebrations confirmed we deserved some extent
Brentford head coach Thomas Frank:
“We were in many ways unlucky not to get anything out of the game, at least a draw. The second half was fantastic, we went more-or-less toe to toe with one of the favourites in the Premier League.
“The way in which we did that second half was massively spectacular. We had two large moments, with Christian Norgaard and Fabio Carvalho – after which we put one and put stress on, they ended up taking set items quick and working within the nook.
“The way they celebrated the second goal and the win, it meant a lot to them – we must have caused them a lot of trouble so I’m very pleased with the performance from my team.”
Evaluation: Chelsea transfer nearer to prime – however title credentials look much less convincing
Sky Sports activities’ Ron Walker at Stamford Bridge:
“Chelsea succeeded where Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City had failed by winning at home, but had they been punished by Brentford, as they might have been, it would have been just as self-inflicted.
“Robert Sanchez and Chelsea’s centre-back choices have been highlighted as their Achilles heel, however it was their lack of ability to complete Brentford off and the style of the objective they did finally concede – from their very own attacking throw – which provides some credence to Enzo Maresca’s insistence they don’t seem to be able to problem for the title.
“From the outside, this can look like a perfect example of a team winning without playing well – the hallmark of any good side.
“However the best way Chelsea let Brentford, a aspect who had misplaced six of seven on the street, wrestle again management of the sport out of nowhere and are available inches away from getting one thing is one other signal that maturity continues to be growing.
“The Blues have still come an awful long way under Maresca. Whereas their title rivals all have established, experienced names through the spine of the team, Chelsea are still on the way up. They are getting there, but still have a way to go.”
