Watch Chelsea Vs Brentford highlights as the hosts held on for a narrow win at Stamford Bridge to close maintain their title challenge.
Enzo Maresca’s side survived a late scare to win 2-1 against their London neighbours and keep the pressure on Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Chelsea remain second in the table, just two points below the Reds – who have a game in hand.
The result marks Chelsea’s seventh straight win in all competitions as they stamped their credentials as serious title contenders.
Marc Cucurella opened the scoring with a header on the stroke of halftime. The Spanish fullback directed Noni Madueke’s sumptuous cross goal-wards to put Chelsea in front at the break.
Nicholas Jackson then doubled the lead with ten minutes to go. Racing onto Enzo Fernandez’s pass, he drove a low finish past Mark Flekken in the Brentford goal to put the hosts firmly in control.
But Chelsea nerves were left jangling in the final moments. Bryan Mbuemo pulled one back on 90 minutes to give the visitors hope of an unlikely comeback.
As the final seconds ticked down, Cucurella saw a second yellow card, reducing Chelsea to ten men.
But they held on for maximum points and kept their superb recent winning record alive.
Watch Chelsea Vs Brentford Highlights
Victory for Chelsea keeps them within touching distance of the Premier League summit. They are now only two points shy of Liverpool, though the Reds have played a game fewer after their Merseyside derby against Everton was postponed due to storm Darragh.
Brentford, meanwhile, are 11th in the table and 11 points clear of the bottom three. Despite the result, they are still only four points below fifth-placed Manchester City.
Next up, Chelsea host Irish outfit Shamrock Rovers in the Europa Conference League on Thursday night.
Thomas Frank’s Bees are back in action on Wednesday as they make the long trip north to face Newcastle United in the EFL Cup quarter-finals.
