Chelsea 0-2 Brentford: Bees heap further misery upon hapless Blues

Chelsea fell to a fifth consecutive defeat in all competitions after a 2-0 Premier League reverse against Brentford at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

Cesar Azpilicueta’s first-half own goal put Brentford ahead at the break, with the Blues unable to muster much of a threat thereafter.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s half-time introduction did at least provide some energy to Chelsea’s attack, though the hosts never truly looked like scoring.

Any hope of a late comeback was thwarted by Bryan Mbeumo, his deflected effort clinching a win to boost Brentford’s European hopes.

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— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) April 26, 2023

A tepid opening saw few clear-cut opportunities, though Thiago Silva did head at David Raya, who made another comfortable save to tip Enzo Fernandez’s curling effort from outside the box over the crossbar.

Brentford were controlled and patient in their approach, reaping the rewards eight minutes before the break as Mathias Jensen’s dangerous corner into the six-yard box was diverted into his own net by Azpilicueta.

Chelsea introduced Mykhailo Mudryk and Aubameyang at the break in an attempt to spark life into their flaccid attack, the latter heading onto the roof of the net after beating Raya to Raheem Sterling’s flick.

Aubameyang soon had another chance, his placed effort towards the bottom corner saved by Raya, with Brentford struggling to see much of the ball at this point.

The Bees did eventually threaten again, however, Mbeumo surging up the field from the halfway line and turning Wesley Fofana before unleashing a shot that deflected off Silva and past the helpless Kepa Arrizabalaga.