Chelsea suffered yet more frustration as local rivals Brentford came away from Stamford Bridge with a 2-0 victory.
Recent weeks have seen Mauricio Pochettino's project threaten to burst into life, but results remain forthcoming. The club have famously spent heavily under new owner Todd Boehly but that has yet to translate into on-pitch success.
The Blues now find themselves 14 points behind table-toppers Tottenham and could end up 11 points adrift of the top four come the end of the weekend, leaving them a mountain to climb if they're to achieve their ambition of getting back into the Champions League.
Ethan Pinnock put Brentford ahead midway through the second half. Chelsea created chances to equalise but were once again profligate with their finishing and paid the price as Brentford rubbed salt into their wounds by scoring on the counter in the dying seconds.
“After the first half should score and we should,” Pochettino told reporters in his post-match press conference.
“If you don't score you should blame yourself. We were not clinical. Sometimes you need luck and after for sure the game changed in the second half. We cannot concede this type of goal.”
Here are 10 stats that sum up Chelsea's woes:
– Chelsea's squad cost five times as much as Brentford's and their wage bill is almost four times as much. Thomas Frank's Bees finished 15 points ahead of Chelsea last season and have taken 10 points from their last four matches against them.
– Brentford have won on each of their last three visits to Stamford Bridge. Ethan Pinnock has more league wins (three) at Stamford Bridge than the Premier League's all-time most expensive signing, Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez (two) – via the brilliant @RichJolly.
– Brentford (two) have won more Premier League matches than Chelsea (one) at Stamford Bridge over the past seven months. The 3-0 against Luton in August is their only win in their last 13 home league outings.
– Of the 17 ever-presents in the Premier League in 2023, only Everton and Bournemouth have taken fewer points. Chelsea are averaging fewer than a point per game over the course of the calendar year (32 points from 33 games).
– The defeat to Brentford was the first time this season that the opposition have created more xG (expected goals) than Chelsea.
– Their underlying statistics aren't especially bad – only Everton (-8.66) have a bigger expected goals underperformance than Chelsea (-6.23), which suggests that their finishing is a chronic issue.
– Pochettino has a win percentage of just 41% – five wins, three draws and four defeats from 12 matches so far. Of permanent appointments, only Glenn Hoddle (34%) and Graham Potter (39%) have a worse record in the Premier League era.
– Chelsea have registered 139 shots and 85 from inside the penalty area, but only 44 have been on target and only 13 have resulted in goals. The Blues have scored fewer goals than West Ham and Brentford and 10 fewer than Aston Villa.
– Pochettino's men registered 17 shots against Brentford, but only two were on target as they drew a blank.
– Chelsea are yet to play five of the top eight. Their next five league fixtures are Tottenham (A), Man City (H), Newcastle (A), Brighton (H) and Manchester United (A).
Lipbilst
1
that chelsea is a fool
Jacqfunda
0
porch managing PSG with players like, mbappe, Neymar and Messi and couldn't win The Ligue 1 title should be questioned before louding him the Chelsea contract.
poch is a great coach,, the performance against Arsenal demonstrated our abilities as a team,all we need is consistency
Jacqfunda
0
porch managing PSG with players like, mbappe, Neymar and Messi and couldn't win The Ligue 1 title should be questioned before louding him the Chelsea contract.
poch is a great coach, the performance against is a true reflection of our abilities what we need is consistency
Vohaceilop
0
Chelsea will never develop, no clear system approach
bataceny
0
porch managing PSG with players like, mbappe, Neymar and Messi and couldn't win The Ligue 1 title should be questioned before louding him the Chelsea contract.
He did win the tittle with Messi. Get you facts right. Messi played two seasons in France and won two league titles
standollar
1
porch managing PSG with players like, mbappe, Neymar and Messi and couldn't win The Ligue 1 title should be questioned before louding him the Chelsea contract.
Yipalntyz
0
Hello what do you need to change the team to start wening
jaeabcdmu
2
what is the problem of the blues.. Chelsea can not play champion league or inidear world cup..bet has any time Chelsea day are ready to Los the computer
Lohcdeimsu
0
Chelsea situation now is extremely pathetic, only Jesus can save it.
Heoabcdrty
1
Chelsea players are only interested in playing time and not to win
misabcdenp
1
It's clear under Todd boel and his friends nothing great is expected at Chelsea because of politics. Have never seen a politician running a football club
Amunkete8
0
what ever you said in this statement Brentford will never win a trophy, Chelsea still gaining winning mentality by selling sterling, Jackson ,madueke and get a serious fighter
hincrsyz
0
Get proper 15 fit players. After that we will talk about strategies and problems in team. If injury list not reduced then surely we will be in relegation position till end of December.
bokabdknpt
0
#Blue is their color
Vieeilmp
3
This generation is not ready to represent Chelsea 💙😢😢😢 yet seriously!
yubamnoprs
0
Death match
yubamnoprs
0
That is death match that is ckminy