Chelsea 2-1 Brentford: Match Analysis and Key Takeaways as Blues Narrow the Gap with Liverpool
FROM STAMFORD BRIDGE – Chelsea faced some challenges yet managed to secure a 2-1 win against Brentford on Sunday evening.
The Blues established a 2-0 advantage but missed several opportunities, with Bryan Mbeumo sending a scare in the 90th minute as he reduced the deficit. Despite their efforts, the Bees couldn’t break through, and Marc Cucurella ended up with a second yellow card after the final whistle, due to his frustration.
Though the match posed its difficulties, the win places Chelsea just two points behind league leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand.
Match Overview
On a quiet Sunday evening that lacked the typical December edge, both teams gradually settled into this .
The disjointed play from both teams was perfectly encapsulated in a brief moment where Mads Roerslev and Marc Cucurella alternately kicked the ball into their own teammate instead of targeting someone else.
Remarkably, the first clear opportunity came as a result of a mistake. Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken misdirected a pass intended for his teammate, instead gifting it to Noni Madueke, who was thwarted by a swift recovery from the keeper.
That incident ignited the home side, leading to a wave of momentum that resulted in Cucurella scoring a header. Evading Sepp van den Berg and Roerslev, Chelsea‘s agile left-back connected with Madueke’s expertly placed cross at the far post, marking a loud thud as both his forehead and hair met the ball.
Chelsea improved after halftime, maintaining a tighter grip on the game, suffocating Brentford into their defensive third for extended periods. Nicolas Jackson missed a golden opportunity to extend Chelsea’s lead, sending a shot over from close range after an excellent assist from Jadon Sancho.
Sancho found himself in a scoring position again shortly after. Following Cole Palmer’s threaded ball, the Manchester United loan player evaded Flekken but veered too wide. He managed to roll the ball past the goalkeeper but couldn’t find a teammate for a finish.
With a more aggressive strategy from Thomas Frank, three Brentford substitutes nearly punished Chelsea’s missed chances. Kristoffer Ajer set up Fabio Carvalho for a shot that hit the crossbar, while Kevin Schade, on as a sub, fired the rebound over.
In the 80th minute, Jackson capitalized on Brentford’s pressing, scoring to secure a second goal for the hosts by finding the bottom corner after evading Ethan Pinnock.
Mbeumo’s goal in the dying moments served merely as a consolation, but Cucurella’s subsequent dismissal may have repercussions in the coming weeks.
Player Ratings
The Ever-Moving Marc Cucurella
Perhaps it’s his hair. Much like a superhero’s cape, Cucurella’s exaggerated movements are complemented by his long locks. The embodiment of constant motion rarely slows down.
Early in the second half, Chelsea’s left-back sprinted across the pitch with intent, seemingly aiming to elbow Yoane Wissa. Yet, Cucurella can be more strategic than chaotic.
The Euro 2024 champion knew exactly when to exploit the space between a wing-back and wide center-back, making several runs into that area. It seemed he covered every inch of the field.
Cucurella’s distinctive style is boundless, even extending beyond the match itself. After the final whistle, he still found a way to secure a red card for accruing another booking.
Nicolas Jackson Celebrates His Milestone in Style – Eventually
The crowd at Stamford Bridge rose to applaud Jackson as he left the field. However, the increasingly impatient fans had spent the previous 80 minutes expressing their frustration with the number 15.
From the start, Jackson appeared determined to score on his 50th Premier League match. The Senegalese forward missed an early header and ended the game with a total of seven shots. His clearest chance came in the 60th minute, only to see him shank Sancho’s setup over the bar.
In his concluding attempt from an energetic performance, Jackson finally located the bottom corner, marking his 23rd goal in the Premier League. To put that in perspective, Didier Drogba scored only 20 in his first 50 appearances.
Brentford’s Away Struggles
Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium doesn’t quite compare for everyone – lacking the charm of its predecessor Griffin Park, which boasted pubs at every corner. Nevertheless, the Bees appreciate their home more than any other Premier League side.
As Thomas Frank declares “a tiny bus stop in Hounslow”, Brentford has amassed 22 points from 24 available at home – the best performance in the league. However, this latest outcome leaves them with only one point from eight away games.
The identity of Brentford’s opponents provides a clear reason for their struggles. Chelsea is the sixth team from last season’s top eight that the Bees have had to face. In contrast, no top-tier rivals have visited the Gtech yet.
