Chelsea 0-2 Brentford: Blues lose fifth straight game since Frank Lampard’s return as dreadful season continues

Chelsea slipped to their fifth consecutive loss since the return of Frank Lampard in a 2-0 defeat against Brentford in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge.

It was a relatively uneventful first half with both teams struggling to create quality attacking chances.

After Chelsea’s best spell of the match, Brentford won a corner which saw Mathias Jensen’s cross flicked goalwards by Zanka. The ball then hit Cesar Azpilicueta and went past Kepa Arrizabalaga to give the visitors the lead.

Lampard opted to make some changes at half-time, bringing on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mykhailo Mudryk, and opting to revert to a back-four. Chelsea came out after the break a completely different side, with several chances falling to Thiago Silva, Raheem Sterling, and Aubameyang, whose looping header in the 55th minute beat David Raya and landed on top of the goal.

The hosts though were unable to take any of their chances, and after a triple change from Thomas Frank, Brentford rediscovered their defensive stability and were able to match Chelsea’s intensity.

The visitors were patient without the ball, and reaped the rewards by scoring their second in the 78th minute after Bryan Mbeumo carried the ball from the halfway line before cutting inside past Wesley Fofana and firing the ball into the back of the net, with a deflection leaving Arrizabalaga stranded.

Up next for Chelsea will be another London derby as they take on Arsenal at the Emirates while Brentford will look to build on their win against Nottingham Forest.

TALKING POINT – CHELSEA’S WOES CONTINUE

The brief spell early in the second half was a rare positive for Chelsea, but overall they were once again outclassed by their opponent. It was a strange starting line-up from Lampard, which saw N’Golo Kante and Conor Gallagher start up front alongside Raheem Sterling, who was deployed as a No. 9. From before the first whistle, it was clear that the attacking formation would not work, and with Chelsea already struggling to score this season, it made little sense for Lampard to overload the team with midfielders. Once he brought on attacking changes, it was an improvement, but it wasn’t sustained, and there was no adaptability to Chelsea’s game once Brentford made their tweaks.

All in all, the loss is yet another reminder that Chelsea will need a lot of coaching to get back to competing for Europe next season. The decision to appoint Lampard also looks to make less sense as the days go on with the former Chelsea midfielder sacked from Everton earlier this season after a poor losing streak.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – ETHAN PINNOCK (BRENTFORD)

It wasn’t Brentford’s best display this season, but after six matches without a win, they won’t care. It certainly wasn’t the best attacking performance, but defensive stability ensured the clean sheet and the win. Pinnock’s ten clearances, one interception, and one tackle ensured that Chelsea’s forward players remained at bay, and alongside David Raya, who made four saves, and Ben Mee, who contributed three clearances and three tackles, they’ve become a core part of an underrated Premier League defence.

PLAYER RATINGS

CHELSEA Arrizabalaga 6, Chalobah 6, Silva 6, Fofana 6, Chilwell 7, Kovacic 6, Fernandez 7, Azpilicueta 6, Gallagher 6, Kante 6, Sterling 6. Subs: Mudryk 6, Aubameyang 7, Madueke 6, Felix 6.

BRENTFORD: Raya 8, Mee 8, Pinnock 8, Zanka 7, Henry 7, Roerslev 7, Janelt 7, Onyeka 6, Jensen 7, Wissa 6, Toney 6. Subs: Baptiste 6, Damsgaard 6, Mbeumo 7, Schade 6, Hickey N/A.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

37′ – GOAL! Chelsea 0-1 Brentford (Azpilicueta og): From a corner, the ball comes in and it last hits Azpilicueta before it lands in the net. Kepa has no time to react as Brentford celebrate the lead.

54′ – HOW IS THE BALL NOT IN THE BACK OF THE NET? Chelsea’s best chance of the game, yet the ball is on the roof of the net! Silva’s ball into the box finds Sterling who nods it for Aubamenyang. The striker beats Raya to the ball, but his looping header goes just over the bar!

56′ – CHELSEA WIDE! It’s all Chelsea at the moment as Silva’s flicked header from Mudryk’s free-kick goes wide.

59′ – ANOTHER CHELSEA CHANCE: The home side are going to regret not scoring one of these! Aubameyang beats two defenders and gets a shot off, but the deflection lets him down as it is collected by Raya.

78′ – GOAL! Chelsea 0-2 Brentford (Mbeumo): It’s great footwork from Mbeumo who cuts inside on the right, past the Chelsea defence, and lashes it into the net! Chelsea fans seen leaving the stadium after that went in!

KEY STATS

• Chelsea have failed to score in 13 of their 32 games, only Bournemouth (15) and Crystal Palace (15) have failed to score more often in the Premier League this season.
• Brentford have scored 12 goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, only Arsenal (14) have scored more in the Premier League this season.