Like in the last game against Spurs, Chelsea had a great chance to take the lead inside of the first minute, but then unlike against Spurs, the game got away from us and Brentford threatened repeatedly.
First, it was on the left, then on the right, and then through the center, where Damsgaard missed an absolute sitter by tripping over his own feet as he tried to round Robert Sánchez. That chance came as a result of trying to play out from the back, which, in fairness, we did well a few times despite some good pressure from the home side — though would often turn back once we had advanced into the final third beyond the press, instead of pushing the issue and trying to go at goal. What’s the point of that again?
The game took a breather in the final few minutes of the half, with both sides seemingly happy to keep things scoreless (especially us). A Sancho cutback almost led to an own goal, but otherwise we posed little threat on Mark Flekken’s goal in that period.
Chelsea looked more threatening after the break, though our best chance again came via a near own-goal as the ball bounced off Van den Berg but unfortunately straight at his own goalkeeper.
The arrivals of Pedro Neto and Cole Palmer on the hour-mark made a difference, with a quick succession of chances — but none taken. We continued to generate chances at a decent clip as the match headed into the last 10-15 minutes, but Brentford started to pose a real threat on the counter once again as well.
And it were the home side who produced a flurry of chances around the 80th minute, with Sánchez making an excellent save and then Van den Berg and Wissa just missing glorious opportunities.
Chelsea had a couple half chances late, including a Palmer shot in the final seconds, but the match would end scoreless. Two points dropped.
Carefree.
- Several changes from Thursday, including Palmer, Jackson, and Cucurella rotating out
- Jackson on at the half, followed by Palmer and Neto just before the hour-mark
- Hour of action for Madueke on his return from injury
- Next up: Legia away on Thursday in the Conference League quarterfinal first leg
- KTBFFH
