Chelsea 0-2 Brentford (28 Oct, 2023) Game Analysis

Brentford cruised to a 2-0 win at Chelsea on Saturday thanks to a header from defender Ethan Pinnock and a last-minute breakaway goal from Bryan Mbeumo as the expensively assembled Blues failed to convert possession into goals once again.

The defeat in the west London derby was another setback for Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino, whose side had recently shown signs of putting a poor start to the season behind them with two wins from three and a 2-2 draw against Arsenal last weekend.

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“The frustration is so huge,” Pochettino told talkSPORT radio, saying a strong first-half performance had given way to a lack of composure after the break.

“We are doing our job, we are happy here,” said the Argentinian. “We have to be clinical and score more goals. That’s what’s missing… We have to keep believing.”

Chelsea started brightly, but for all their buzz around the Brentford penalty area, they created few chances before Pinnock, undetected by the Chelsea defense, connected powerfully with a Mbeumo cross in the 58th minute.

As the Blues surged forward in the 96th minute in search of a late equalizer, goalkeeper Robert Sanchez ventured in for a corner only to be caught out when the visitors broke away and Mbeumo scored into an empty net.

Chelsea have now won just one of their last 13 home league games, a dismal run dating back to last season when they sacked managers Thomas Tuchel and then Graham Potter.

The hosts started the west London derby on the right foot and winger Noni Madueke almost broke the deadlock in the first half when his curling shot hit the crossbar 10 minutes from time. Defender Marc Cucurella shot directly at Mark Flekken after a pass from playmaker Cole Palmer.

But Brentford absorbed everything Chelsea could throw at them, with striker Nicolas Jackson, back in the starting team after injury, unable to pose much of a threat.

Brentford’s third league win at Stamford Bridge in as many seasons means they have moved ahead of their neighbors into 10th place, while Chelsea drop to 11th ahead of the remainder of the weekend’s fixtures.

The latest failure to find the back of the net will intensify speculation that Chelsea will invest heavily again in the January transfer window, having already spent around £1bn on new players since a US-led buyout in 2022.

One name linked to the club is Brentford and England center forward Ivan Toney, who scored 20 times in the league last season but is currently serving an eight-month ban for breaching betting rules. This ban expires in January.

Chelsea’s next game is at high-flying Spurs.