Graham Potter tried both approaches. Chelsea’s head coach went with the academy boys from the start and he turned to the expensive cohort on his bench when he needed a winner. Afterwards, though, Potter would admit that Chelsea’s attack requires further refurbishment. The onslaught took too long to arrive and, although the stadium was an anxious place during the dying stages, Brentford’s defiance ensured there was no way through.
There was Ethan Pinnock denying Raheem Sterling when the forward looked certain to score the winner. David Raya made vital saves. Chelsea had sniping runs from Christian Pulisic, glimmers from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and a promising cameo from Carney Chukwuemeka, but Brentford had heart and organisation.
