Brentford Stun Chelsea 3-0 To Rise Third As Alonso’s Side Suffer Another League Setback

Brentford climbed to third in the Premier League after producing a ruthless second-half display to beat west London rivals Chelsea 3-0 on Saturday, leaving Xabi Alonso’s side without a league win in three games.

After a tightly contested opening 45 minutes, Brentford found another gear after the break and punished a Chelsea side that had looked far more organised in the first half.

Jaidon Anthony, Igor Thiago and Fabio Carvalho scored in the second half to give Brentford a convincing victory and move the club to nine points from five matches.

Chelsea had shown signs of improvement before the interval. The team featured several of the major additions from its summer overhaul, with Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck making their first Premier League starts for the club.

Chelsea looked more disciplined defensively, competed strongly in physical battles and prevented Brentford from controlling the second balls. For a side that has looked vulnerable at times this season, the first half offered some encouragement.

That progress disappeared soon after the restart.

Brentford took the lead in the 61st minute when Mikkel Damsgaard delivered a corner and Jannik Schuster headed the ball on. Chelsea failed to deal with the loose marking, allowing Anthony to finish from close range.

The hosts doubled their advantage when Kevin Schade’s shot was saved, but Thiago was left unmarked and followed up to make it 2-0.

Chelsea then conceded again in stoppage time, with Carvalho finishing from a low cross to complete Brentford’s emphatic victory.

“ This is not how to compete in the Premier League, ” Alonso said after the match. “We are not being consistent enough to compete during the whole game.”

Brentford manager Keith Andrews, meanwhile, said his team deserved to enjoy a result that rewarded its work.

Brentford now sit three points behind co-leaders Arsenal and Manchester City, who still have their respective games to play. Chelsea, meanwhile, have dropped to seventh with seven points from five matches, increasing the pressure on Alonso after another disappointing league performance.