Football Review | Chelsea 2 - 0 Brentford

Chelsea marked Liam Rosenior’s first Premier League match as head coach with a hard-fought home win.

Joao Pedro’s thunderous first-half finish and a Cole Palmer penalty after the interval secured Rosenior’s new side the victory.

Author | Lewis W

Stadium | Stamford Bridge

View from the away end at Stamford Bridge

It was far from a comfortable afternoon, however, with Brentford enjoying more of the ball and registering more shots and efforts on target than their hosts.

The Bees began with purpose. Kevin Schade had their first two efforts at goal before opting to square for Mikkel Damsgaard when a shot looked the better option.

Chelsea’s response came through Palmer, who curled an effort over, and Joao Pedro, whose penalty appeal was waved away, before the Brazilian eventually opened the scoring on 26 minutes.

Enzo Fernandez forced Michael Kayode into an error on the edge of his own box and, as the ball broke kindly, Joao Pedro lashed it past Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.

Brentford pushed back strongly. Damsgaard, Schade and Mathias Jensen, who struck the post, all went close to an equaliser, while at the other end Alejandro Garnacho somehow missed an open goal from six yards.

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Robert Sanchez then produced an outstanding save early in the second half to deny Schade in a one-on-one, as Brentford continued to apply pressure.

Brentford started to put Chelsea under pressure

With his side under strain, Rosenior opted for caution, withdrawing Garnacho for Andrey Santos in a defensive switch.

That decision only encouraged further Brentford pressure, and Igor Thiago, who has 16 league goals this season, headed wide when well placed.

Chelsea made that miss count. A loose pass from Nathan Collins and hesitant goalkeeping from Kelleher allowed substitute Liam Delap to intercept and draw a foul inside the area.

Palmer dispatched the resulting penalty with assurance, and when Aaron Hickey curled a late effort wide, Chelsea were able to celebrate not only three points but a clean sheet that lifted them above Brentford into sixth place.