⚽ Match goals
- João Pedro, 26′, Chelsea
- Cole Palmer, 76′ (penalty), Chelsea
Chelsea claimed a much-needed Premier League victory at Stamford Bridge, beating Brentford 2–0 in a match defined by ruthless finishing from João Pedro and Cole Palmer and profligacy at the other end. The result delivered Liam Rosenior his first league win as Chelsea head coach and eased mounting pressure after a difficult run of form.
The build-up was shaped by unrest off the pitch, with around 200 supporters protesting against the club’s ownership outside the stadium. Inside, Brentford quickly seized the initiative and finished the match with 14 shots, five on target, yet failed to find the net.
Chelsea were under pressure early, with Kevin Schade forcing Robert Sánchez into a sharp save and Mathias Jensen repeatedly finding space between the lines. In the 21st minute, Schade passed instead of shooting from six yards, allowing Tosin Adarabioyo to recover, a moment that later proved decisive.
Chelsea’s breakthrough in the 26th minute came through fortune and precision. Michael Kayode’s clearance deflected off Enzo Fernández and fell perfectly for João Pedro, who drove a fierce left-footed shot beyond Caoimhín Kelleher. Initially ruled out for offside, the goal was overturned after a VAR review.
Brentford responded with urgency. Jensen struck the post with a volley, while Igor Thiago — who has 16 Premier League goals this season — headed wide from close range after the interval. Chelsea were equally wasteful, with Alejandro Garnacho missing an open goal from inside the six-yard box before half-time.
As the second half unfolded, the contest became more fractious. Marc Cucurella and Kevin Schade were both shown yellow cards following heated exchanges on Chelsea’s left flank, while Wesley Fofana was booked later for dissent at a set-piece. Cole Palmer also entered the referee’s notebook late on.
Rosenior responded to Brentford’s pressure with specific defensive changes, replacing Garnacho with Andrey Santos and introducing Wesley Fofana for the injured Adarabioyo to stabilise the back line.
The decisive moment arrived in the 76th minute when Nathan Collins under-hit a back-pass towards Kelleher, allowing substitute Liam Delap to nip in. The goalkeeper clipped Delap inside the box and Cole Palmer converted the resulting penalty with composure.
After the match, Rosenior revealed Chelsea’s preparation had been disrupted by illness. “It’s running through the squad,” he said. “There were players today struggling with their chests, but the attitude was magnificent. We weren’t fluent, but we got the job done.”
Brentford head coach Keith Andrews was left lamenting missed opportunities. “Sometimes football isn’t fair,” he said. “Ultimately, you’ve got to take your chances — and today we didn’t.”
Despite Brentford registering 14 attempts and five on target, Chelsea’s clinical edge proved decisive. João Pedro’s deflected opener and Palmer’s late penalty ensured a vital clean-sheet victory, lifting Chelsea above their London rivals in the table and restoring belief at Stamford Bridge.
