Chelsea 1-4 Brentford, Premier League: Post-match reactions, ratings

Brentford have played closely with Chelsea twice already this season, and they have started this game much better than the Blues, controlling the opening 15 minutes. Bugs and giveaways from us didn’t help, but fortunately visitors couldn’t take advantage, although they had at least one empty chance.

Chelsea eventually evolved into the game and began to exercise some control over the actions. We found our first shot after 20 minutes and our first shot on target after 30. Ziyech came close to breaking the deadlock with one of his magic wands from just outside the area, but Brentford goalkeeper David Raya equaled it.

The second half didn’t take long to catch on to life, and initially in spectacular fashion as one of Antonio Rudiger’s long-range specials ended up at the back of the net. But the lead was short-lived, with Brentford equalizing almost immediately afterwards, then scoring not once but twice more in the next 10 minutes to completely change things.

Chelsea came close several times back to the scoreboard, but Havertz saw one left out for a handball and then missed another couple by six inches combined.

Brentford added a late fourth-place finish to complement last season’s 2-5 defeat at West Bromwich Albion.

Not great, to say the least.

With peace of mind.

• Just some changes from FA cup The quarter-final lineup before the break, with Alonso replacing Sarr, Kante in Kovacic, and Havertz and Werner coming in with Lukaku and Pulisic.
• James played instead of Alonso after the equalizer, initially at left-back, then moved to right-back with Chelsea as third-back in the last half hour. Lukaku (for Werner) and Kovačić (for Kanté) in direct swap.
• It looks like Mindy, Kante took a hit in the first half but were able to play. And Havertz appeared to have suffered a concussion of late, too.
• Chelsea are losing for the first time since mid-January and losing at home for the first time since late September.
• We are 5 points ahead of Arsenal in fourth place. On Monday they play away to Crystal Palace
• 3 Apr 2021: 2-5 West Bromwich Albion; 2 Apr 2022: 1-4 Brentford. Huh.
• Next: Champions League Quarter-final first leg v. Real Madrid Wednesday. We are definitely winning that thing again.
• KTBFFH

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