Chelsea’s defensive problems continued under Xabi Alonso as Brentford secured a convincing 3-0 victory in the west London derby.
The result exposed Chelsea’s struggles from set pieces once again.
Brentford also punished the Blues when they pushed forward in search of a response.
The hosts opened the scoring after Mikkel Damsgaard delivered a corner into a dangerous area.
Jannik Schuster nodded the ball across goal, leaving Jaidon Anthony with a simple finish from close range.
Anthony found himself unmarked, and he made no mistake from just a few yards.
Chelsea then changed shape as they searched for an equalizer, the Blues moved to a back four and committed more players forward. However, Brentford quickly exploited the space behind the Chelsea defence.
Kevin Schade broke through and found himself one on one with Emiliano Martinez, Martinez produced a save to deny Schade, but Igor Thiago reacted quickest.
The Brentford forward finished from close range to double the hosts advantage, the goal also ended Thiago’s seven game wait for a goal.
Brentford Add Late Punishment
Chelsea struggled to create a clear response as the match entered its final stages.
Brentford remained dangerous on the counter and continued to threaten the visitors.
Then, with virtually the last kick of the match, Fabio Carvalho completed the scoring.
Schade delivered the cross towards the far post.
Carvalho had plenty of space and calmly tucked the ball away.
The goal marked Carvalho’s first Premier League strike since returning from a near year long injury lay off.
Chelsea’s defensive record now makes for worrying reading, the Blues have conceded 12 goals across their first five Premier League matches.
That figure represents the highest total in the league at this stage.
Chelsea are also still waiting for their first top flight clean sheet of the season, their problems extended beyond defence in west London.
Chelsea lacked cutting edge in attack and clearly felt the absence of injured Joao Pedro.
Danny Welbeck replaced him but failed to create any clear chances for the visitors.
Moises Caicedo also missed the match, leaving Jordan Henderson to step into the midfield.
Henderson made his first start for Chelsea against the club he previously joined them from.
However, his return to the former club did not produce the result Chelsea wanted.
Brentford instead claimed the derby victory while Chelsea left with more questions about their defensive structure, set piece defending and attacking threat.
