Chelsea’s miserable home run continues with Brentford defeat
Chelsea were unable to end their miserable Premier League form at Stamford Bridge as West London rivals Brentford ran out 2-0 winners this afternoon.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men had come into this weekend’s fixture on a three-game home winless streak (one draw and two losses).
For a while this contest was in danger of becoming another mundane goalless affair, the opening half was drab bar Noni Madueke’s crossbar-struck effort, but Ethan Pinnock ensured bragging rights. Pinnock nodded Bryan Mbeumo’s cross home from close range just before the hour mark rousing Thomas Frank’s side who knew the job hadn’t been done.
Heading into this latest matchday, only West Ham (seven) had opened the scoring in more different Premier League games than Brentford so far this season (six), but the Bees went on to win on two occasions. The visitors held strong with Mbeumo doubling their lead in sensational fashion deep into stoppage time subsequently furthering their host’s plight.
This latest setback leaves the Blues’ with only two such wins (drawing and losing seven times respectively) — over relegated Leeds and newly promoted Luton — since February which greatly illuminates their miserable form in a once-considered stronghold.
West London is ours again 💪 pic.twitter.com/MLQKMwOTOq
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) October 28, 2023
Even crazier is the statistic that Frank (2) has now won more Premier League games at Stamford Bridge in 2023 than Pochettino and Frank Lampard combined (1) with him equalling another exiled Blues boss Graham Potter (2). Furthermore, the Bees are the first side in competition history to win each of their first three games against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the competition.
An inability to consistently find the net has gone from a concern to a severe issue. Today’s blank was Chelsea’s third in four games and worryingly they’ve only netted 13 times during the aforementioned period. To put that into some perspective; counting just the ever-present sides in England’s top division this year, only Bournemouth (12) and Everton (11) have been more unprolific.
How they could do with someone like Mbeumo who has now been involved in 13 goals in his last 13 Premier League games for Brentford (nine goals and four assists), and 11 in his last nine London derbies in the competition (eight goals and three assists).
Chelsea will have to wait a while before attempting to put things right in front of their supporters but that next Stamford Bridge outing will be against English champions Manchester City.
