CHELSEA lost for the fifth game running as they were beaten by their streetwise West London rivals Brentford.
The Blues lacked threat going forward and crumbled at the back in their latest awful showing.
GettyIt was a frustrating night for Raheem Sterling in front of goal[/caption]
GettyPierre-Emerick Aubameyang has struggled for game time despite Chelsea’s issues in front of goal[/caption]
Caretaker manager Frank Lampard tried to change things at half-time as he went to a back four but could not revive his side’s fortunes.
But Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang made a rare appearance off the bench and had the two best chances for the home side, raising more questions of the team selection.
SunSport’s Kiro Evans explored which players continued to struggle and who was up for the fight at Stamford Bridge.
Kepa Arrizabalaga – 6
Some typically awkward distribution for the first 20 minutes did nothing to settle the nerves of an already anxious crowd.
Otherwise he could do nothing about the own goal and did not really have a proper shot to save.
Wesley Fofana – 5
The Frenchman did his job in the three-man defence and kept the Blues fairly secure at the back.
But he looked exposed for the second goal against Bryan Mbuemo and got needlessly involved in a shoving match with Rico Henry which earned him a yellow card.
Thiago Silva – 7
Thiago Silva twice had decent headed chances to hit the back of the net but failed to convert on both occasions.
And despite the ominous threat of Ivan Toney looming throughout, the 38-year-old looked entirely comfortable.
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Trevoh Chalobah – 6
The defender did an impressive job at keeping Toney quiet in the first-half.
In the second period he was shifted to right-back but struggled to make an impact.
Cesar Azpilicueta – 6
The Chelsea captain was unfortunate more than anything as the ball flicked off his shoulder and went into the home net.
He was deputising for the injured Reece James but failed to emulate the England international’s attacking thrust and was hauled off at half-time.
GettyAzpilicueta was left cursing his luck as Chelsea’s issues mounted with his own goal[/caption]
Enzo Fernandez – 6
Fernandez almost caught the Brentford defence out with a brilliant quick free-kick attempt in the first-half which Raheem Sterling could not quite latch onto.
Otherwise he went about his business in his usual diligent manner and grew into the game.
Mateo Kovacic – 6
In a clogged Chelsea midfield, Mateo Kovacic initially struggled to stand out and influence the game.
But the tactical half-time switch gave the Croatian far more space, and he and Fernandez began to dictate proceedings with far more verve.
Ben Chilwell – 6
Ben Chilwell was left entirely responsible for Chelsea’s attacking movement down the left in the first-half.
He was joined by Mykhailo Mudryk in the second-half and the pair combined well but ultimately to no effect.
N’Golo Kante – 7
Frank Lampard is persisting with playing N’Golo Kante further forward, and tonight the whole thing made a bit more sense.
The energetic Frenchman was picking up interesting positions undetected by Brentford’s defence, but struggled with his final ball consistently.
He did almost score with a left-footed volley early in the second-half.
EPAN’Golo Kante is playing slightly further forward than most fans are used to[/caption]
Conor Gallagher – 6
No one can question Conor Gallagher’s industry and endeavour and he spent much of the first-half buzzing around trying to make things happen.
But many will wonder if that alone should justify regular starts over the likes of Joao Felix and the consistently ignored Noni Madueke. He was sacrificed at half-time as Lampard switched to a back four.
Raheem Sterling – 5
It just wasn’t coming off for Raheem Sterling in the first-half. Runs went unanswered, balls into box avoided him as if by magic and he carried little threat.
Playing him as a solo striker did not work so it was little surprise to see Lampard shift him to the right-wing in a half-time switch. But still the former Manchester City star failed to show his true quality.
Subs
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (on for Conor Gallagher at half-time) – 7
It’s incredible what having a striker can do for a team. The 33-year-old came on at half-time and the Brentford defence finally looked unsettled.
Aubameyang came close with a looping header early in the second-half before dribbling into the Brentford box and having only a limp attempt on David Raya’s goal. But this dangerous cameo should at least justify a start in the Blues’ next dead rubber against former club Arsenal.
Mykhailo Mudryk (on for Azpilicueta at half-time) – 7
For a long-time it was difficult for the unconverted to work out exactly why Chelsea had paid so much for the Ukrainian.
But Mykhailo Mudryk showed more glimpses tonight on what he’s capable of. His pace, directness and crossing caused consistent problems for the Bees.
Noni Madueke (on for Sterling, 78) – 6
The 21-year-old showed some pace and energy in his cameo but ultimately did not have enough to settle into the game.
Joao Felix (on for Fernandez, 78) – 6
The loanee did not have enough time to impact events.