FT: Brentford 0-0 Chelsea

Venue: Gtech Community Stadium

Auto-refreshing reddit comments link

LINE-UPS

Brentford

Mark Flekken, Sepp van den Berg, Nathan Collins, Keane Lewis-Potter, Kristoffer Ajer (Michael Kayode), Mikkel Damsgaard (Mathias Jensen), Yehor Yarmoliuk (Vitaly Janelt), Christian Nørgaard, Yoane Wissa, Kevin Schade, Bryan Mbeumo.

Subs: Paris Maghoma, Hákon Rafn Valdimarsson, Rico Henry, Ben Mee, Ethan Pinnock, Yunus Konak.

^{____________________________}

Chelsea

Robert Sánchez, Tosin Adarabioyo, Trevoh Chalobah, Reece James (Marc Cucurella), Malo Gusto, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (Cole Palmer), Moisés Caicedo, Enzo Fernández, Christopher Nkunku (Nicolas Jackson), Jadon Sancho, Noni Madueke (Pedro Neto).

Subs: Filip Jørgensen, Benoît Badiashile, Tyrique George, Josh Acheampong, Levi Colwill.

MATCH EVENTS | via ESPN

26' Malo Gusto (Chelsea) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

45' Tosin Adarabioyo (Chelsea) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

45' Substitution, Chelsea. Nicolas Jackson replaces Christopher Nkunku.

59' Substitution, Chelsea. Cole Palmer replaces Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

59' Substitution, Chelsea. Pedro Neto replaces Noni Madueke.

66' Substitution, Brentford. Vitaly Janelt replaces Yehor Yarmoliuk.

77' Substitution, Chelsea. Marc Cucurella replaces Reece James.

77' Sepp van den Berg (Brentford) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

83' Substitution, Brentford. Michael Kayode replaces Kristoffer Ajer.

83' Substitution, Brentford. Mathias Jensen replaces Mikkel Damsgaard.

87' Enzo Fernández (Chelsea) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

^{Don't see a thread for a match you're watching? Click here to learn how to request a match thread from this bot.}

There is one goal that Cole Palmer says he will never forget — his equaliser for England in the Euro 2024 final against Spain.

“Coming on as a substitute in the 70th minute, finding the net within three minutes and levelling the score ” he says, recalling the heroic moment that very briefly restored the hopes of a nation. “We lost, but that goal remains a highlight of my career.”

Growing up in the south Manchester suburb of Wythenshawe, he was scouted by the Manchester City academy at the age of six and made his debut for the first team in 2020. Three years later he joined Chelsea in a deal worth £42.5m

Daily Discussion Thread

Please use this thread to discuss anything and everything! This covers ticket and general matchday questions (pubs, transport, etc), club tactics/formations, player social media, football around the globe, rivals and other competitions, and everything else that comes to mind.

If you are interested in continuing the discussion on Discord, please join the official server here!

Note that we also have a Ticketing FAQ/Guide here.

questions in bold, answers in italics

Press Conference

Enzo, what did you make of that? And did you think the second half was better than the first when you made the changes?

Yeah, I think overall, we played a good game. We prepared the game in the way the game was, in terms of starting one way and finishing in another way. We played Thursday night - demanding game - 24 hours less than them. Tricky stadium, tricky game, sunny, sunny day. The pitch was dry. They tried to kill the tempo of the game. So for me was a complete game, but overall as I said, we did enough to win the game. We shot more than 20 times and probably the only thing we miss has been the goal, but overall, happy with the performance.

(same reporter as above) Can you explain your selection decisions a little bit, in terms of the Tottenham game as well in the Legia Warsaw game how you're managing your squad and why you made the selection you did?

No, the reason why is because we played Thursday night, so not all of them were 100%. So the idea was to start in one way and to finish in the other way and the plan nearly worked, because as you said, second half, the last half an hour, probably we created a little bit more. But I think overall I think the volume between first half and second half has been enough to win the game.

(same reporter as above) People would say maybe Brentford away, these days, at the moment is harder than Tottenham at home. Would it not have been better to rest players maybe there, that's what some people would be asking me.

This is a different opinion. I'm here to try to do the best for the club, for the players, and I work every day with the players, so I can see them, the way they are, and to be honest I don't know if Spurs at home is, compared to Brentford away, is better or worse. For me they are all complicated, you can see, and Brentford, I think, it's very clear what they try to do, how good they are, not only in set pieces - in transition. And I think unless the last transition we conceded, we controlled them very well, so, yeah.

-

Your home results have been very good, but you haven't won now in eight premier league games away from home. Is that a real problem for champion's league qualifications - does that have to get better before the end of the season?

I think we started the season winning away many games- we won away games, and we struggled a little bit at home. Now it's in the other way. I think to get top four, top five, or fight for title, you need the right balance. Probably as you said, in this moment we struggle a little bit more to win games away, but overall in terms of numbers, I think we are there since we started. And hopefully from now on we can win some games away, but also it's important I think to continue to win the games at home.

(same reporter as above) But does it put pressure on your home form? Does it make it difficult going into those home games?

No, to be honest, I don't prepare - for instance, I didn't prepare today's game thinking, "guys, it's a long time we don't win away, we need to win away"...no. Since we started, I always said, when you're not able to win, it's important that you don't lose, you take the point, you move the table. And as I said, I think also at this stage of the season, 24 hours make the difference, you know, to rest energy, but this is the reason why I'm happy with the performance because they gave everything.

(same reporter as above) Can I ask one more then? Were you annoyed by the scheduling? Do you feel it was unfair?

I think so, yes, especially at this stage of the season, but we try to adapt and because, as I said, Thursday night game was demanding game. We said many times that when it's transition game, it's demanding, physically demanding. So Tottenham was more transition than, compared to today, for instance. But at this stage, I think 24 hours make the difference.

-

Just on exactly that, Enzo - FIFA implied that teams should have 72 hours between games, and they don't really follow that themselves. What sort of difference does it make, and where do you put the blame for this?

No, if, as you said, if there is a rule about 72 hours, probably you need to respect that. But it's not just about today, or our game. It's probably every weekend, or happened many times, that there are teams that they don't have rest for 72 hours and they try to adapt. At the same time, we try to do our best. The reason why, first half we started in one way and second half we finished in the other way is because of that. And probably if we decide to start first half in the way we finish, probably after half an hour, 45 minutes, the team was not [physically good enough] to finish the game, so we try to find solutions, like today.

-

Hi Enzo, there's been a lot of focus on Cole Palmer not scoring, but all of the attackers are struggling to score right now, and in other games you've had Enzo Fernandez stepping up, Marc Cucurella scoring, but how important is it in this final stretch that you get more production from all of those attackers?

No, it will be very important to get some more goals from the ones at front. But again, I think we are [top] three or four [in] scoring goals in the premier league. so I don't have the feeling that this team needs to score more goals. And also when we don't score like today, we shot more than 20 times. So I think the question is - for sure, we want more goals from the players at front, even from set pieces, in general, we want to score more goals. But I don't think it's the reason why - I don't think it's a problem in terms of, we are top three, top four in terms of scoring goals. We create chances every game - probably we struggle to create chances in one or two games. But the reason why was also because we play without a nine. If you remember, the four or five games ago we struggle to create chances. But it's also normal now with Nico back, I think we creating, but at the same time we are scoring goals. And hopefully, you know, when you shot more than 20 times, hopefully next time we can score. Sometimes you need 2 shots and you score (laughs)... it's like this

-

Enzo, it's been a while since Christopher Nkunku got a chance to play up front. It seemed like he struggled to take that one. What do you put it down to - is it just the type of game or do you sense a lack of effort?

No, I think it's just a game, I don't think it's a lack of effort because at the end I can see Christo every day, and he's working well. Sometimes, probably, he wants to give more during a game and he struggles a little bit. But for sure, I don't think it's a lack of...as you said, effort.

-

Enzo, you brought him off at halftime - it felt like he struggled a little bit in terms of his holdup play, and when Jackson came on, his holdup play felt better. I mean, did you feel that difference when Jackson came on? Why do you think Nkunku struggled a little bit with that today?

As I said, we planned the game in this way - to start in one way and to finish in a different way. So we also think that probably, after 45 minutes, one hour, the team was our team. Was getting better and better, and because we tried to keep the ball, they run, and after 45 minutes, one hour, they could be tired. So we expected to improve in the second half. And then in terms of Christo, I always say the same: when they work hard and they give everything, it's not a problem.

-

Kind of an obvious question, but could you sum up how important it is for Chelsea to qualify for the champion's league next season?

If I'm aware of that?

How important.

Ah, how important - yeah. No, for sure, will be very important. I said since day one that our duty, our target is to bring this club where this club has to be - that is champion's league. And I think since day one, since we start, we have been there, always top four, top five. For part of the season we were second. So I think since day one we are there, and hopefully we can finish there.

1. Henry malicious foul on Cech when he clearly lost possession.
2. Márquez foul on Malouda in the penalty area.
3. Puyol (already had a yellow) foul

📆 06 April 2025

🕕 Kick Off: 18:30 IST / 14:00 GMT / 09:00 EST / 06:00 PST

ℹ️ Venue: Brentford Community Stadium, London

LINKS

ℹ️ Match Center

ℹ️ How To Watch

ℹ️ Discord Server

Who’s your favourite?

Our most consistent player this season alongside Caicedo. Both just as important for the team.

Daily Discussion Thread

Please use this thread to discuss anything and everything! This covers ticket and general matchday questions (pubs, transport, etc), club tactics/formations, player social media, football around the globe, rivals and other competitions, and everything else that comes to mind.

If you are interested in continuing the discussion on Discord, please join the official server here!

Note that we also have a Ticketing FAQ/Guide here.

questions in bold, answers in italics

Press Conference (filmed after Chelsea vs Tottenham match)

Looking ahead to Brentford, [inaudible] how tough a game will that be?

Yeah, no, for sure it will be very tough. You see last night they lost to Newcastle away, but it was a tough game. But I think, from now on, every game is gonna be tough.

How difficult is it for you with only two days to prepare for the game?

It's difficult, it's difficult. We are probably the only team, us and Tottenham - I don't know if they play Sunday, or I don't know when they play. So for us will be more difficult, but now it's also a matter of how we the tiredness. We need to recover energy and we need to go again on Sunday.

Do you feel like the team will be galvanized after the win against Spurs going into Sunday's game?

Yeah, for sure, it's much better to win and to prepare for the next game. Every time you win, the next game, most of the time, [the preparation] is better. And hopefully from this game we can build momentum, knowing every game will be difficult until the end.

Hi Enzo, wanted to ask about Wesley Fofana. How's he doing? [inaudible, but I think he asked if there are any updates or what happened]

Nothing - muscle problem a few days ago, and we are waiting for small checks, more checks.

Is that a blow because Brentford are especially physical, and you've lost Lavia and Fofana, they're two of your most physical players. Is that something that's gonna be hard to cope with?

If I'm not wrong, I think in the first leg at home, both were injured, and we played with Tosin, Levi, Trevoh - I think Trevoh, I don't remember - but even in the first game they were not here, and we did quite well, knowing that for sure they are physically strong and we're gonna try to do our best.

Is there still good defenders to maybe step up in this time as well, people like Josh, players like that?

Yeah, no, Josh...I love Josh. But he needs the right moment - for sure, if we need him, he's ready to play.

You've won five of your last six in all competitions, even if some of the performances haven't been the best you've had this season. They say that performances don't matter quite so much in the final months of the season, as long as the results are there. Is that how it feels now? Are we that close to the end of the season that it's just about getting [results]

Yeah, now the target is to try to finish..where we have been all season. Because I think all season, I think probably the first five, six months, because we were second, we were there, probably the expectation changed a little bit. But I think overall, all season we have been top four, top five, we have been there, and we're gonna try our best to finish there. And then, again, in terms of performance, every game is different. Tonight's performance, probably for you, it's better compared to previous performances. But in some performances, I was also happy because I know how difficult it is sometimes to break the low block when they sit back.

Can I just double check on Lavia? I know obviously you said he's had an issue. Is he going to be part of Sunday?

No, no, for Sunday he's out.

[response to above, inaudible]

We don't know yet. We are waiting for both. Romeo looks a little bit - better injury compared to Wes in terms of - probably Romeo can be back earlier than Wes.

What is Romeo's injury?

Both, same problem - muscle problem.

Is it a concern, with Romeo, he keeps breaking down, we're getting close towards the end of the season now. He's now getting to the stage where it's difficult for him to get a run of games.

Yeah, no - if you compare Romeo's games this season to last season, (laughing) he's already improved, because this season it was hard for him to go the other way. But the target with Romeo is just to try to keep him fit as much as we can. And the next year, play more games than this season. We are trying to do the same, it's not the same situation, but it's more or less a similar situation - we are trying to do the same with Reece James. Reece tonight was on the bench. Reece is our best player, or probably one of our best players. Why was he on the bench? It's because we try to take care of him. We know that in this moment, he cannot play every three days, and hopefully soon he can start to play every three days. But the main target with him, with Romeo, with Wes, is to keep them fit, because we know how important they are for us.

Enzo scored again tonight. He scored again during the international break. Do you think it's something he's getting better at all the time? Was it a touch of Frank Lampard about the way he came into the box tonight?

Yeah, no, I think since we start, Enzo is improving a lot. His understanding [of] the game is completely different now. He knows where he has to stay, he knows where he has to arrive in the box. And I think most of the goals he scored this season with us is because he was in the right position. Even with the international team. The goal was more or less similar. So we are very happy in the way Enzo is improving.

That's why - Lampard used to time his entries into the box so well. Do you think there's something similar about Enzo?

Uhh...I think Enzo is a good player for us, we are happy with Enzo. But Frank was a different kind of player - [at] this moment.