Chelsea are two points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool thanks to a 2-1 win over Brentford. With the Merseyside outfit being held to a 2-2 draw at home to Fulham on Saturday, the stage was set for Enzo Maresca’s side to further cement themselves as the closest challengers for English football’s biggest prize this season.
Despite dominating the first-half, the Blues had to remain patient for the opener and it arrived a couple of minutes before the break and from an unlikely source in Marc Cucurella. Then 10 minutes from time, and against the run of play, Nicolas Jackson made amends for his earlier miss as he doubled the Blues’ lead with a fine run and finish.
Despite a late scare when Bryan Mbeumo pulled one back for Brentford, the hosts held on to make it five straight wins in the Premier League. Though the drama didn’t stop there as after the final whistle, Cucurella was sent-off, meaning he misses next week’s clash away at Everton.
Chelsea vs Brentford latest news
- GOAL! Mbeumo pulls one back!
- GOAL! Jackson makes it two!
- GOAL! Marc Cucurella breaks the deadlock
- TV channel and live stream: Not available in UK
Chelsea player ratings
21:14 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneMarc Cucurella 8
Impossible to keep out of the action. Great desire and header to break the deadlock, key clearances in stoppage time, then sent off after the final whistle.
Moises Caicedo 7
Raking pass from deep made early Jackson chance. Won ball back in lead up to the clincher.
Enzo Fernandez 7
Tenancious stuff from the Argentine. Won the ball high up the pitch and moved it intelligently. Pass in behind made Jackson goal.
Click here for our Chelsea player ratings vs Brentford.]
FULL-TIME
20:57 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChelsea 2-1 Brentford
Marc Cucurella may have been sent-off after the final whistle. A second yellow card was certainly issued in his direction.
Chelsea 2-1 Brentford
20:54 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+5 min: First yellow card of the game goes to Marc Cucurella for a foul on Fabio Carvalho.
Chelsea 2-1 Brentford
20:53 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+4 min: Chelsea do well to deal with a Brentford set-piece. Two minutes remaining.
GOAL! Chelsea 2-1 Brentford | Bryan Mbeumo '90
20:48 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90 min: GOALLL
Sloppy play from Chelsea as Caicedo gets caught and Brentford go on the attack with Bryan Mbeumo slotting past Sanchez.
Game on!
Chelsea 2-0 Brentford
20:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne86 min: Another change for Brentford as Jayden Meghoma replaces Keane Lewis-Potter.
Chelsea 2-0 Brentford
20:41 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne82 min: After putting daylight between Chelsea and Brentford, Nicolas Jackson is replaced by Christopher Nkunku.
GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Brentford | Nicolas Jackson '80
20:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne80 min: GOALLLLL
Chelsea have doubled their lead and it’s Nicolas Jackson with the strike.
Chelsea 1-0 Brentford
20:36 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne78 min: Lewis-Potter cuts inside, lines one up but his effort is comfortable for Sanchez.
Brentford are building in confidence, the supporters are sensing an equaliser.
Chelsea 1-0 Brentford
20:34 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne75 min: Brentford make a triple change with Ajer, Carvalho and Schade coming on.
Within seconds, Carvalho is denied a equaliser by the woodwork.
Chelsea 1-0 Brentford
20:31 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne73 min: Another brilliant save from Sanchez, this time to deny Norgaard.
Chelsea 1-0 Brentford
20:29 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne70 min: Big save from Sanchez to deny Wissa an equaliser.
Chelsea 1-0 Brentford
20:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne66 min: Big chance for Chelsea as Jadon Sancho takes the ball around Flekken but the angle is too tight for a shot so he attempts to clip the ball back into the area.
Brentford get enough players back to deal with the danger.
Chelsea 1-0 Brentford
20:21 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne63 min: A pause in play as Malo Gusto is down with a head injury after he bravely contested an aerial duel with Janelt.
Chelsea 1-0 Brentford
20:20 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne62 min: Brentford make their first change of the night as Janelt replaces Damsgaard.
Chelsea 1-0 Brentford
20:18 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneStandard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge
58 min: An absolutely corking miss from Nicolas Jackson, the kind he seemed to have left behind. Would’ve missed two goals. That could be big…
Chelsea 1-0 Brentford
20:16 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne56 min: Not the most convincing goalkeeping from Flekken as he needs two bites at the cherry to deal with Chelsea’s latest corner.
Chelsea 1-0 Brentford
20:14 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne55 min: Madueke goes on the outside of Lewis-Potter to fizz a ball into the box.
Ethan Pinnock is in the right place at the right time to clear the ball for a corner.
Chelsea 1-0 Brentford
20:06 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne47 min: Sanchez gets Chelsea going after claiming a Brentford free-kick. Though the away side get back in numbers to concede a corner.
The Blues sustain the pressure for a minute or so before Flekken launches the ball out of play.
Chelsea 1-0 Brentford
20:02 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne46 min: Back underway at Stamford Bridge.
Cucurella celebrates
20:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneIt was a fantastic header from Marc Cucurella to break the deadlock, but special praise must go to Noni Madueke for the cross.
HALF-TIME
19:48 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChelsea on course to cut the gap at the top of the Premier League to just two points thanks to Marc Cucurella’s goal.
Chelsea 1-0 Brentford
19:46 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneStandard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge
44 min: Huge celebration from Enzo Maresca when that hit the net. That feels like a big, big goal for Chelsea. Had Brentford made it to half-time level, belief would have soared, and as we said before kick-off, Chelsea’s bench is not as strong as usual.
GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Brentford | Marc Cucurella '43
19:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne43 min: GOAL!
Chelsea finally find a breakthrough as Marc Cucurella heads Noni Madueke’s cross into the net.
Chelsea 0-0 Brentford
19:41 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne38 min: A stray pass is seized upon by Noni Madueke but his effort is saved by Flekken.
From the corner, Palmer and Fernandez combine, though the former’s ball into the box is cleared for another corner.
This one is hung up to the back post by the Argentine and whilst Brentford deal with that delivery, they end up conceding a free-kick for Lewis-Potter’s foul on Madueke.
Chelsea 0-0 Brentford
19:38 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne37 min: Wissa switches the ball out to Lewis-Potter but Brentford’s attack breaks down as the flag goes up for offside.
Chelsea 0-0 Brentford
19:36 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneStandard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge
35 min: Fair to say Brentford fans seem to have a bit more trust in their goalkeeper than Chelsea’s do. They were Ole-ing there as Flekken rolled the ball across the face of his own goal.
Chelsea 0-0 Brentford
19:34 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne32 min: Another corner to Chelsea, whipped in by Palmer but Flekken punches the ball away but only as far as Palmer who returns it for Sancho who sends his effort into the side netting.
Chelsea 0-0 Brentford
19:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne28 min: Brilliant football all round. Yarmoliuk cuts the ball back to Damsgaard who looks certain to score but Colwill gets in the way of the shot.
Chelsea 0-0 Brentford
19:29 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne27 min: Cole Palmer is starting to have an influence on the game as he finds space before playing in Nicolas Jackson but his effort is deflected for a corner.
Chelsea 0-0 Brentford
19:27 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne25 min: Brentford win a throw not to far from the corner flag, Ethan Pinnock launches it long but Tosin meets the ball first.
That launches a Chelsea counter-attack, led by Jadon Sancho but they can’t make the most of it.
Chelsea 0-0 Brentford
19:24 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneStandard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge
23 min: Thomas Frank is complaining to the fourth official about Chelsea timewasting at a goal-kick, which is some power move.
Chelsea 0-0 Brentford
19:22 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne20 min: Chelsea go from one end to another in no time as Noni Madueke slips in Enzo Fernandez whose effort is save by Mark Flekken.
Cole Palmer has shaken off his early injury scare and is moving freely once again.
Chelsea 0-0 Brentford
19:20 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne19 min: To sum up Chelsea’s early dominance, they’ve had 78% possession with four attempts at goal.
However, Enzo Fernandez loses possession which presents an opening for Wissa but his pass for Mbeumo is cut out for a corner which comes to nothing.
Chelsea 0-0 Brentford
19:19 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneStandard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge
17 min: I’m boring myself saying it every week but Robert Sanchez has a remarkable talent for finding a bit of trouble where there ought to be none.
Chelsea 0-0 Brentford
19:17 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne15 min: Corner for Chelsea, taken by Enzo Fernandez and he puts the ball into the side-netting.
Perhaps the midfielder was going for goal.
Bit of a concern for the Blues as Cole Palmer is moving rather gingerly.
Chelsea 0-0 Brentford
19:16 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne13 min: Malo Gusto feigns to shoot, switches the ball onto his left foot but his effort is blocked.
However, the ball falls kindly for Cole Palmer and he strikes goalwards but Mark Flekken beats the effort away.
One way traffic so far.
Chelsea 0-0 Brentford
19:12 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne10 min: Mark Flekken called into action for the first time tonight as he keeps out Nicolas Jackson’s effort.
Chelsea 0-0 Brentford
19:10 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne8 min: Collins tries to get Brentford going but his intended pass for Mbeumo is cut out by Tosin.
Chelsea 0-0 Brentford
19:08 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneStandard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge
6 min: Really frantic, untidy start here, with neither side able to string more than a few passes together.
Chelsea 0-0 Brentford
19:04 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne2 min: Chelsea enjoying an early spell of possession before Malo Gusto swings the ball into the box.
Nicolas Jackson gets in between the two Brentford defenders but plants his header wide of the post.
KICK-OFF!
19:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWe are underway in this Premier League clash.
Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge
19:00 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne“Sunday night under the lights in the Premier League!” shouts the stadium announcer with an enthusiasm that probably runs against most peoples’ thoughts on this particular timeslot.
Here we go!
18:58 , Tashan Deniran-AlleynePlayers have emerged from the tunnel and out onto the pitch.
Time for the player handshakes and then kick-off.
Brentford threat
18:52 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBrentford have been free-scoring this season and that’s despite losing Ivan Toney during the summer transfer window.
Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo have certainly stepped up for the Bees and they’ll pose a threat to Chelsea’s backline tonight.
Not long now!
18:46 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneLess than 15 minutes to go until kick-off in the west London derby.
Chelsea bidding to close the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to just two points.
Premier League results
18:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneIt’s been a day for the away teams in the Premier League today with Crystal Palace beating Brighton and Ruben Amorim’s side claiming victory in the Manchester derby.
Chelsea will be looking to buck the trend.
Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge
18:34 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBit of a weird moment as the Manchester derby result is read out over the PA and gets a fair cheers from those already in their seats. That’s a Manchester United win being cheered at Chelsea…
Igor absence explained
18:28 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBrentford boss Thomas Frank has explained why Igor Thiago misses out against Chelsea tonight.
"Igor has a minor injury which keeps him out for this game,” he said. “We are hopeful he could be available for Wednesday.”
Brentford's fast starts
18:23 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneA key early season feature for Brentford was their quick starts.
Ahead inside a minute away at both Manchester City and Tottenham, Chelsea ought to be wary tonight.
Chelsea dressing room
18:18 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBehind the scenes at Stamford Bridge as the Chelsea dressing room is prepared ahead of kick-off.
Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge
18:13 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneYou won’t see too many tears for them, but Chelsea are actually missing a fairly significant number of first-team players tonight.
No Neto, James, Fofana, Felix, Mudryk, Lavia or Badiashile. The XI is still pretty close to first-choice, but the bench has a thing feel.
There are three academy graduates on there, plus Marc Guiu, who scored two in midweek but is in a matchday squad in the league for the first time in three months.
Chelsea changes
18:05 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneIt’s 10 changes to the side that started the Europa Conference League win over Astana on Thursday but just the three from the 4-3 victory against Tottenham last Sunday.
Benoit Badiashile, Romeo Lavia and Pedro Neto are replaced by Tosin Adarabioyo, Malo Gusto and Noni Madueke.
Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge
18:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneOur very own Malik Ouzia is in position at Stamford Bridge to preview tonight’s west London derby.
🗣️"It has already been a good weekend for Enzo Maresca's side."
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) December 15, 2024
Big west London derby tonight at Stamford Bridge, where @MalikOuzia_ is in position to preview Chelsea vs Brentford.
Join us LIVE: https://t.co/JfpP0NQqlO#CHEBRE pic.twitter.com/AUkt4yTLJy
Brentford XI
17:49 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBrentford XI: Flekken, Roerslev, Van den Berg, Collins, Pinnock, Lewis-Potter, Norgaard, Yarmoliuk, Damsgaard, Mbeumo, Wissa.
Subs: Valdimarsson, Mee, Ajer, Meghoma, Konak, Janelt, Trevitt, Carvalho, Schade.
Chelsea XI
17:47 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChelsea XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez (c); Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson
Substitutes: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Disasi, Veiga, Rak-Sakyi, Dewsbury-Hall, George, Nkunku, Guiu
Arrivals
17:42 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe Chelsea squad have arrived at Stamford Bridge ahead of the big west London derby.
Team news imminent
17:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWe are expecting the team news to be announced shortly.
Stay tuned...
Palmer celebration is sweeping the nation
17:35 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneCole Palmer has delivered his reaction to seeing young children copying his celebration.
"It's a good feeling when I see it, especially when I see random kids in random places doing it after scoring in grassroots football," he said. "That’s nice – and it does feel like that was me not too long ago!"
Chelsea suspension risks
17:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneNicolas Jackson and Robert Sanchez, if they start, have to be careful tonight.
Both players are on four yellow cards which means if they're booked against Brentford, they will serve a suspension against Everton next weekend.
Click here to find out Chelsea's other suspension risks.
Predicted Chelsea XI
17:25 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneTeam news is to be announced in around 20 minutes or so, but here’s how we think Chelsea will line-up tonight with Moises Caicedo being restored to his usual midfield role.
Brentford at Stamford Bridge
17:20 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneSince being promoted to the Premier League, Brentford have visited Stamford Bridge three times and have won on each occasion.
Their mission tonight is to make it four in a row.
Interestingly, Thomas Frank's side are without a victory away from home in the Premier League all season.
Chelsea vs Brentford - Head to head (h2h) history and results
17:15 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChelsea wins: 10
Draws: 4
Brentford wins: 7
Maresca on Frank
17:10 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChelsea boss Enzo Maresca says he’s admired his opposite number, Thomas Frank, from a far and outlined the challenge that his side will face from the Bees tonight.
“I don’t know [Thomas Frank] personally but I've known about him and his team for many years,” the Italian said. “He is doing a fantastic job, the way they achieve points, the way they play, the style they have, it is top, fantastic.
“The good thing about Brentford is they can play in many different styles, they don’t have one way to play. They can play with a back four, a back five, or a back four making a back five with one of the wingers.
“So it’s quite complicated and we will have to try to do our best [to win].”
Opportunity arises
17:05 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWith Pedro Neto missing out tonight through suspension, there's a chance for Jadon Sancho and Noni Madueke to stake a claim to stay in the side once the Portugal international is available again.
Since returning to fitness, Sancho has followed up his two assists in the Conference League game against Heidenheim with goals in back-to-back Premier League matches.
Meanwhile, Madueke is averaging a goal involvement every half-hour across his three league appearances since being left out of the starting line-up against Aston Villa.
Thomas Frank on Chelsea
17:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBrentford manager Thomas Frank has paid Chelsea quite the compliment ahead of this west London derby meeting.
“They are maybe the best team in the Premier League right now" 🔵
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) December 14, 2024
Thomas says we have belief and respect ahead of facing a 'top, top quality' Chelsea team tomorrow pic.twitter.com/9Epar6UvUW
Unusual kick-off time explained
16:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChelsea vs Brentford is in the rather unusual 7pm GMT timeslot tonight.
The reason for this is to give Enzo Maresca’s side extra recovery time after their exploits in Europe on Thursday.
The Blues faced a 16-hour round trip to Kazakhstan for their Conference League win over Astana, which kicked-off at 3.30pm due to the five-hour time difference.
Click here for the full story.
Prediction
16:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBrentford have been incredibly poor away from home this season, scoring only five times and failing to win a single match.
Chelsea’s stars will be rested, having been left out of the trip to Kazakhstan, and they are expected to ease to another comfortable win, even if the Bees are capable of causing some difficult moments for the Blues’ defence.
Chelsea to win, 3-1
Brentford team news
16:45 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBrentford remain without Rico Henry and Aaron Hickey, but Vitaly Janelt and Kristoffer Ajer will return to the squad, though Matias Jensen and Gustavo Nunes are out.
Bryan Mbeumo and Yoanna Wissa will again be up top for the Bees.
Chelsea team news
16:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneChelsea will be without Pedro Neto tonight as the winger serves a one-match suspension as a result of receiving his fifth Premier League yellow card in last week’s 4-3 win over Tottenham.
Wesley Fofana and captain Reece James miss out due to injury but the likes of Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez and Nicolas Jackson could all return after being rested for the midweek win over Astana.
Why isn't Chelsea vs Brentford live on TV in UK today?
16:35 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneOf the four Premier League fixtures today, this is the only one not being shown live in the UK.
This is because Chelsea vs Brentford was initially scheduled for 3pm GMT on Saturday 14 December and was not selected for TV coverage, due to it taking place behind the blackout imposed across English football.
As such, despite moving date and time because of Chelsea played away in Kazakhstan in the Conference League on Thursday night, it cannot be shown in the UK.
Welcome
16:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGood afternoon and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Chelsea vs Brentford.
Following Liverpool’s draw yesterday, the Blues have the chance to close the gap on the Premier League leaders to just two points.
Kick-off from Stamford Bridge is at 7pm GMT.
