
The highly-paid Blues were punished by a powerful header from defender Ethan Pinnock and a breakaway goal by Bryan Mbeumo in the final minute as Brentford stole a 2-0 victory away at Chelsea on Saturday.
The Chelsea team had shown indications of turning around their dismal start to the season with two victories from three games and a 2-2 draw against Arsenal the previous weekend, but coach Mauricio Pochettino was disappointed by the West London derby loss.
“After the break, there was a lack of composure,” Pochettino said, describing his frustration as “so massive.” The team had played well in the first half.
The Argentinean stated, “We are happy here, and we are doing our job.” “We must score more goals and play clinically. What’s lacking is this. We must maintain our faith.”
Chelsea got out to a fast start, but despite their constant movement around Brentford’s penalty area, they were unable to generate many opportunities. Finally, in the 58th minute, Pinnock, who was able to get past Chelsea’s defense, connected powerfully with a cross from Mbeumo.
The Blues pushed forward in an attempt to tie the score, but goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was caught off guard as the visitors broke free and Mbeumo rolled the ball into an empty net in the 96th minute.
Since the end of last season, when they sacked managers Thomas Tuchel and later Graham Potter, Chelsea has only won one of their last 13 home league games.
With ten minutes remaining in the first half, Blues winger Noni Madueke’s curling shot struck the crossbar, coming dangerously close to breaking the deadlock. Marc Cucurella, a defender, took a lofted pass from playmaker Cole Palmer and shot straight at Mark Flekken.
Despite Nicolas Jackson’s return to the starting lineup following an injury, Brentford was able to contain everything Chelsea threw at them and Jackson, the center forward, was not a real threat.
With the rest of the weekend’s games yet to play, Brentford moved ahead of Chelsea into 10th place after claiming their third league victory at Stamford Bridge in as many seasons.
The current Chelsea failure to score will fuel rumors that the team will make significant transfers once more in the January transfer window. Since a U.S.-led takeover in 2022, Chelsea has already spent about £1 billion on new players.
Ivan Toney, an England center striker who scored 20 goals in the league the previous season and is currently serving an eight-month ban for breaking betting regulations, is one name associated with the team. The prohibition ends in January.