Ben Chilwell's first-half strike sent Chelsea back to the top of the Premier League with a 1-0 win at Brentford, thanks in large part to Edouard Mendy's late heroics.
2021/2022 Premier League
0-1
Match Report
Bryan Mbeumo hit the post for Brentford in the first half, while Timo Werner missed two fine chances for the visitors, but Chelsea went into the break ahead through Chilwell's half volley from just inside the area (45), his third goal in three games for club and country.
Mbeumo hit the post again in the second half before Mendy saved brilliantly three times late on, first from sub Saman Ghoddos, then with his face from Pontus Jansson at point-blank range, before tipping over Christian Norgaard's stunning overhead kick in stoppage time.
After wins for Liverpool and Man City earlier on Saturday, the pressure was on Chelsea to keep up the pace in what promises to be a tight title race, and they returned to the top of the pile with their sixth win of the season.
Brentford lost for just the second time this term, and are seventh after eight games.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
17' Lukaku's free-kick wide out
17' Yellow Card! Kovacic booked
21' OFFSIDE! Lukaku's goal disallowed
21' OFF THE POST! Mbeumo nearly scores
36' MISS! Werner's shot wide out
44' GOAL! Brentford 0-1 Chelsea (Chilwell)
68' CLOSE! Ivan Toney misses a good chance
69' MISS! Lukaku's shot wide out
73' CLOSE! Ivan Toney's shot saved by Mendy
75' OFF THE POST! Mbeumo nearly scores again
85' SAVE! Fine stop from Mendy
Line-ups
Brentford XI: Jorgensen, P. Jansson, C. Nørgaard, I. Toney, Sergi Canós, David Raya, R. Henry, M. Jensen, E. Pinnock, F. Onyeka, B. Mbeumo
Subs: S. Ghoddos, K. Ajer, C. Goode, M. Forss, Álvaro Fernández, M. Rasmussen, P. Maghoma, D. Thompson, M. Bidstrup
Chelsea XI: Azpilicueta, Lukaku, Kovacic, Christensen, E. Mendy, Kante, Werner, Loftus-Cheek, T. Chalobah, Chilwell, Sarr
Subs: Alonso, Saul , Barkley, Jorginho, Kepa, Mount, Havertz, Reece James, Hudson-Odoi