Chelsea and Brentford performed out a dramatic 2-2 draw on the Gtech Group Stadium, with the Bees rescuing a degree deep into stoppage time after the Blues had mounted a second-half comeback.
The primary half was a irritating one for Enzo Maresca’s facet. Regardless of dominating possession, Chelsea lacked tempo and penetration within the ultimate third.
Brentford, compact and disciplined, had been blissful to absorb stress earlier than hanging on the break. Their opener got here within the thirty fifth minute, when veteran midfielder Jordan Henderson rolled again the years with a exact lengthy ball excessive.
Kevin Schade latched onto it, minimize inside, and calmly slotted previous Robert Sanchez to present the hosts a deserved 1-0 lead.
Chelsea’s response was tame – Fernandez’s nook clipping the put up was their closest second – whereas Brentford completed the half trying sharper and extra harmful.
Maresca launched extra urgency after the break, with Chelsea lastly crafting clear probabilities. Substitute George compelled a pointy save from Caoimhin Kelleher inside minutes of approaching, earlier than Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernandez each examined the goalkeeper.
Brentford nonetheless carried a risk, although, with Sanchez required to disclaim Schade a second nearly instantly after the restart.
The equaliser lastly got here within the 61st minute. Joao Pedro rose highest to nod a cross down into the trail of Cole Palmer, whose crisp half-volley into the underside nook introduced Chelsea stage.
Immediately, momentum swung within the guests’ favour. Palmer nearly added one other quickly after, denied solely by an outstanding cease from Kelleher, whereas Brentford relied on last-ditch defending to remain within the contest.
Chelsea’s stress paid off within the eighty fifth minute. Alejandro Garnacho’s vigorous run ended with a cross that ricocheted kindly into the trail of Moises Caicedo, who unleashed an unstoppable strike into the highest nook from the sting of the realm.
It seemed like a purpose worthy of sealing all three factors, and the away followers roared in expectation of a comeback victory.
However Brentford, as they so usually do, refused to fold. Pushing our bodies ahead in stoppage time, they earned a protracted throw deep in Chelsea territory. Kristoffer Ajer flicked it on on the close to put up, and Fabio Carvalho ghosted into house on the again put up to show it dwelling. A short VAR examine confirmed the purpose, sparking wild celebrations from the house crowd.
The numbers mirrored Chelsea’s frustration. Regardless of having practically 70% possession, they usually lacked leading edge and wanted two spectacular finishes to show the sport round.
Brentford, in the meantime, had been direct and environment friendly, ending with a better anticipated objectives tally within the first half and proving medical when it mattered most.