It was a significant blow for Chelsea’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League. They did not take their chances and came home with a frustrating goalless draw against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Chelsea’s winless run in away Premier League games stands at eight matches. This dismal track record features three draws and five losses. Fears over their attacking threat were compounded over this stretch as the team was only able to score three goals.
This draw places Chelsea under significant pressure to break away from the pack in a hotly contested battle for European qualification. Fans expressed their frustration as the team’s performance once again highlighted issues that have plagued them throughout the season.
Chelsea’s Struggles on the Road
For all the issues against Brighton, Chelsea’s failure to win games on the road should be the most concerning. The team’s current winless run on the road in the top flight dates to April 2000 – March 2001. Along that run, they had a rough stretch and went 16 straight matches without winning. This current eight-match stretch has seen Chelsea score a mere three goals, exposing their lack of cutting edge in front of goal.
In the first half on the road to Brentford, Chelsea lacked offensive dynamism and urgency. They particularly felt the absence of their two main creators, Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson. Fans voiced their dissatisfaction with the team’s approach, chanting “attack, attack, attack” as they watched their team struggle to create meaningful chances.
Manager Enzo Maresca came under fire for his team selections, a claim he refuted after the game.
“The reason why is we played Thursday night and not all of them were 100 percent.” – Enzo Maresca
Regardless of Maresca’s logic, Chelsea’s first half display was nothing short of “lacklustre,” as they created little in the way of chances. Pedro Neto was one of those exceptions, offering the only real drive to the Chelsea attack.
Second Half Improvement but No Goals
Chelsea played a little bit better after halftime. The arrival of Palmers and Jacksons gave them a shot in the arm. But even with a more balanced affair, Chelsea still couldn’t find the opening goal. Their hopes of claiming a spot in next year’s Champions League evaporated. They lost valuable ground in this closely contested battle.
Brentford manager Thomas Frank praised his players for the way they controlled the encounter.
“I think the performance was good, first half was a very good performance. I think we were clearly on top in the first half. In that spell, we should have taken our chances. Second half, more even. In all of the game, we defended very well.” – Thomas Frank
The Bees cemented their defensive prowess, stifling Chelsea tries to keep clean their 2nd shutout in as several matches.
Key Saves Keep Chelsea Afloat
Chelsea’s goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was critical in keeping the level scoreline. He had a few big saves that allowed Brentford to not be up two, even three-nil, showcasing his value within a defense that has been abysmal. His contributions proved crucial as Chelsea are still struggling with their defensive solidity and aggressive penetration since losing Sam Kerr to injury.
Despite a stronger showing after halftime, Chelsea’s inability to convert opportunities into goals could prove detrimental to their aspirations of returning to European football next season. The same team comes under extreme scrutiny to find the secret of that winning formula. They’re hellbent on winning, proving it through this critical stretch of the season.
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