Chelsea’s four-game winning streak came to an end on a dismal afternoon at Stamford Bridge as Brentford won 2-0.
The Blues controlled the first half and had multiple opportunities, but they failed to take advantage of them, which cost them in the second half.
Just before the hour, Brentford took the lead thanks to a header from Ethan Pinnock. As Chelsea sent players forward, the visitors responded with a goal from Bryan Mbeumo.
Three modifications were made by Pochettino, albeit two of them were mandated. Malo Gusto dropped to the bench and was replaced at right-back by Axel Disasi, while Mykhailo Mudryk and Enzo Fernandez were ruled out due to minor injuries they had acquired during training.
This gave Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson the start, and both played a significant role in Chelsea’s dominant first forty-five minutes.
Cole Palmer controlled the Blues’ offensive play, creating opportunity after opportunity.
The 21-year-old set up Chelsea’s first real opportunity to score when he sent the ball wide to Madueke, setting up a one-on-one match with Aaron Hickey.
Madueke moved forward into the penalty area, creating enough room for a shot to be directed towards the far corner. Mark Flekken, the Brentford custodian, was beaten, but the ball bounced back off the crossbar.
Chelsea gained self-assurance. Threatened next was Gallagher. After passing back and forth with Jackson, the Blues captain blasted a shot into the corner. This time, Flekken managed to save.
He denied Cucurella once again by doing so. Then, from a close angle, Sterling hammered a shot high and wide. Palmer crafted each of these possibilities, enjoying a free position in the background behind Jackson.
Robert Sanchez had very nothing to worry about in the first half as Brentford were limited to infrequent counterattacks forward.
Despite Chelsea’s superiority and the late goals from Madueke and Palmer, the game ended in a draw at the half.
Following the restart, Pochettino’s team needed to keep up their possession speed. However, Brentford broke the impasse just before the hour, forcing the lethargic Blues to pay.
Pinnock was there to slam a header beyond Sanchez after Mbeumo swapped passes down the Chelsea left and flighted a long cross to the back post.
When Pochettino sought an answer, he looked to his bench, introducing Ian Maatsen and Reece James in place of Diasi and Madueke.
With a lead to defend, Brentford positioned themselves deep in a 5-4-1 formation, frustrating the Blues. Interceptions occurred on passes into the box. There was regular clearing of crosses. It was difficult to find opportunities for shooting.
With 10 minutes remaining, Lesley Ugochukwu and Deivid Washington were substituted in. Players were forced forward, but Brentford stood firm in defence.
After a cutback by James, Thiago Silva did steer a header wide from a corner taken by Gallagher, and neither Palmer nor Washington could connect with the ball cleanly within the area.
While maintaining their defensive posture, Brentford posed a real threat on the break, and Sanchez had to make a smart save to keep substitute Yehor Yarmolyuk at bay. Then, Mbeumo fired a shot that was slightly past the post.
They added six more minutes. Chelsea was given a late corner in the second and final games. After Sanchez was sent up, the ball was cleared, allowing Brentford’s Mbeumo and Neal Maupay to counterattack.
It was left to the latter to finish easily into an open net. The Blues suffered a loss.
