Enzo Maresca's men had to survive a late onslaught from the Bees in order to leave the Gtech Community Stadium with a point
Chelsea have now gone eight Premier League away games without a win after being held to a 0-0 draw at west London neighbours Brentford on Sunday.
Enzo Maresca made several changes to his side from the XI that started their enthralling if draining 1-0 win over Tottenham in midweek, and this was to the detriment of their chemistry and intensity, with Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson's removals from the lineup felt hardest.
Brentford should have taken the lead midway through the first half when a Chelsea goal kick came immediately back the other way, with Yoane Wissa clipping a delicious dink in for Mikkel Damsgaard to take, only for the Dane to trip over his own feet with goalkeeper Robert Sanchez to beat. The shaky Sanchez was on hand to deny Keane Lewis-Potter from a corner as the disgruntled visiting fans made their discontent clear, chanting 'attack, attack, attack'.
Makeshift striker Christopher Nkunku was withdrawn at half-time – a decision greeted with cheers by the travelling contingent in the away end – for more of a focal point in Jackson. The Senegal international immediately gave the Bees some more problems with his physicality and saw a shot trickle wide within five minutes of his introduction.
Palmer and Pedro Neto were next off the bench, with the latter forcing a fantastic save out of Mark Flekken with essentially his first touch – a piercing strike from the edge of the Brentford box. Reece James then tested the Dutchman with a thumping header from a corner.
Late in the day, Sanchez came to Chelsea's rescue once more when the Bees broke at pace, and the Spaniard thwarted Bryan Mbeumo with a strong wrist to meet his shot. From the resulting corner, Sepp van den Berg headed over from point-blank range when unmarked.
With one final chance, Palmer took the ball on the swivel and fired narrowly over the crossbar as the game was brought to a close, and with the Blues now at the mercy of Manchester City two points behind them in fifth place.
GOAL rates Chelsea's players from the Gtech Community Stadium…
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Robert Sanchez (7/10):
Another mixed bag for the goalkeeper, who showed signs of nerves while also making some important saves. Ultimately, those stops made it a net-positive day for him on a personal level, keeping a clean sheet for a second game running.
Malo Gusto (4/10):
Given a real headache by the electric Schade, who didn't waste an opportunity to get his skates on and test the Frenchman's pace. Wasteful in attack to make matters worse.
Trevoh Chalobah (6/10):
Spent much of the afternoon clearing Brentford crosses away with his head.
Tosin Adarabioyo (6/10):
Like Chalobah had to be on hand to deal with the Bees' aerial bombardment.
Reece James (5/10):
Played at left-back to accommodate Gusto. Made to work by Mbeumo in a chasing first half but improved after the break to muzzle the Cameroonian. Had a header saved by Flekken when Chelsea were in the ascendancy. Replaced by Cucurella late on.
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Moises Caicedo (7/10):
Chelsea's most competent outfielder, breaking play up and driving with the ball into space.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (5/10):
Kept the ball moving in midfield without ever doing anything too extravagant. Withdrawn for Palmer.
Enzo Fernandez (4/10):
Where the World Cup winner was at the centre of everything in Thursday's win against Tottenham, he faded into the background of the game far too easily on Sunday and it was hard to remember that he was even on the pitch at points.
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Noni Madueke (5/10):
Still trying to shake off some rust having only recently returned to fitness, which became more noticeable as the game wore on. Subbed for Neto.
Christopher Nkunku (4/10):
Again far too passive and lightweight up front, though ultimately the blame in this department should go to Maresca for playing him in such an unsuitable role. Taken off at half-time for Jackson.
Jadon Sancho (4/10):
Didn't fancy his chances up against a physical presence in Kristoffer Ajer. As was the case with several of his team-mates who were starters decided to shirk responsibility in the final third.
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Nicolas Jackson (6/10):
Changed the game with his busy style and ability to make chances out of nothing.
Cole Palmer (5/10):
Couldn't get on the ball enough to make a difference, with Brentford doing well to crowd the space around him.
Pedro Neto (6/10):
Immediately injected pace into a flat Chelsea attack, though the Bees dampened this by swarming him in numbers.
Marc Cucurella (6/10):
Got tight and physical with Mbeumo.
Enzo Maresca (5/10):
Chelsea were without dynamism and intensity. Had they lost, it would have been totally deserved and they should be grateful to have taken a point.
