Brentford 3-0 Chelsea
by Layth Yousif
at Brentford Community Stadium

JAIDON ANTHONY, Igor Thiago and Fabio Carvalho’s second half strikes ensured Brentford humbled fragile Chelsea 3-0 under Friday night lights near the River Thames at Kew Bridge.  

Make no mistake this was a thoroughly deserved statement victory for the Bees who swept aside the dilettantes from Stamford Bridge, prompting jubilant home fans in the sellout crowd of 17,193 to gleefully chorus at their Chelsea counterparts: “West London is ours,” as Keith Andrews impressive side showed far more hunger than their gilded opponents to clinch three points, as well as bragging rights in this corner of the capital. 

“I think it’s important that you enjoy these nights,” said boss Andrews, speaking after the game, before adding: “There’s some tough days in the game, as you all know. 

“You’ve got to endure lots of different emotions.

“I felt there was something bubbling tonight. I have this unbelievable calm around our team because I trust them. I see a humility and hunger in the group.”

Earlier Andrews made two changes to his side that started last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Bournemouth.

Michael Kayode replaced Aaron Hickey at right-back, while Mikkel Damsgaard was preferred to Mamadou Sangare in midfield, with Yehor Yarmolyuk making his 100th Premier League appearance for the Bees.

The visitors were without Joao Pedro, captain Reece James and Moises Caicedo, with Blues head coach Xabi Alonso making five changes, as former Brentford midfielder Jordan Henderson made his debut, with Maxence Lacroix recalled, while Pep Chavarria, Valentin Barco and Danny Welbeck were also drafted in.

Malo Gusto, Jorrel Hato and Romeo Lavia all dropped to the bench, with Alonso reverting to a back three, after playing four at the back during the 2-2 draw with Hull last weekend.

Henderson had not played competitively in 84 days, since featuring for six minutes during England’s World Cup group stage game with Panama in New Jersey. 

It showed. 

The veteran midfielder failed to make an impact, and was off the pace throughout, while being mercilessly booed by Bees fans, annoyed the 36-year-old opted to join the Stamford Bridge outfit this summer. 

Chelsea’s Pedro Neto tested Caoimhin Kelleher with a stinging shot in the ninth minute, but the Irish keeper was equal to the task, parrying the ball, prior to Morgan Rogers’ effort being blocked. 

After a bustling opening, illuminated by silky touches and vision from the peerless Cole Palmer, Rogers had his free kick saved by Kelleher on the half hour, while six minutes later Emi Martinez saved from Yarmolyuk at the other end. Rogers then had an effort blocked, before Bees Kevin Schade saw his shot gathered by Martinez, as we reached the interval goalless.

Five minutes after the break the home side nearly went ahead, when Anthony’s header clipped the bar, before the move was flagged offside, despite the Bees attackers appearing to be level with the Chelsea backline. 

Brentford striker Thiago’s attempt flew high and wide shortly afterwards, as Andrews side relentlessly attacked their visitors.

The dominance was eventually to tell, when Anthony’s close-range header from Jannik Schuster’s cross put the Bees 1-0 ahead on 61 minutes.

Thereafter, the Bees proved obdurate opponents, throwing their bodies in front of every Chelsea shot, before Andrews substituted Anthony to a heroes’ reception.

Shortly afterwards it was Thiago who was cheered to the rafters, when doubling the Bees lead with eight minutes remaining, as the home support celebrated wildly. The Brazil striker calmly slotting home after following up Schade’s effort that was only partially parried by Blues keeper Martinez.

As if that wasn’t enough humiliation enough, worse was to follow for billionaire moneybags Chelsea, when Carvalho slotted home from close range to make the score an emphatic 3-0, to send the home support into dreamland, as Andrews impressive team moved into the top four of the Premier League.

“The club and the fans and the players are so invested in the journey,” said boss Andrews, adding: “I love what we’re doing and the way we’re going about it. We should enjoy it.”

No wonder at the final whistle jubilant Brentford fans taunted the visiting support by singing: “Can we play you every week,” after such a statement victory for Andrews and his impressive team after they posted their first home win over Chelsea for nearly eighty years.