Brentford sweep Chelsea aside to extend unbeaten Premier League run

Brentford produced their strongest performance of the Premier League season as they defeated Chelsea 3-0 in a dominant West London derby at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Jaidon Anthony, Igor Thiago and Fabio Carvalho all scored after half-time to keep Brentford unbeaten after five matches. The victory was also their first home Premier League win over Chelsea.

Chelsea made the brighter start, with Pedro Neto forcing a save from Caoimhin Kelleher. However, the visitors found it increasingly difficult to create clear opportunities as Brentford grew into the contest.

Yehor Yarmolyuk tested Emiliano Martinez with a long-range effort, before Morgan Rogers and Keane Lewis-Potter both went close late in the first half.

Brentford increased the pressure after the interval and took the lead shortly after the hour. Mikkel Damsgaard sent a dangerous corner into the area, and Jannik Schuster headed the ball back across goal for Anthony to score from close range.

Chelsea pushed forward in search of an equaliser, leaving space for Brentford to attack on the counter. Kevin Schade broke clear with 10 minutes remaining and, after Martinez saved his first attempt, Thiago followed up to score his first league goal of the season.

Brentford completed the victory in stoppage time. Schade’s cross reached substitute Carvalho at the far post, and he bundled the ball into the net.

Brentford manager Keith Andrews praised his players for their discipline against a Chelsea team with significant attacking quality.

“There’s a lot made of us around set pieces,” Andrews told Sky Sports. “I thought they were very respecting in the way they set up against us, they didn’t want to give Thiago any space.

“We had to earn the right to play, we had to be disciplined without the ball given the amount of talent they have and I thought we were very good tonight.”

Andrews was particularly pleased with Thiago’s performance after the striker had waited for his first Premier League goal of the campaign.

“It’s an amazing goal,” he said. “It’s a calm finish considering he hasn’t notched in the league yet. His overall game tonight was sensational.”

He also welcomed Carvalho’s goal following the substitute’s lengthy recovery from an ACL injury.

“He’s just a special soul. He’s a brilliant story,” Andrews said. “The way he sniffs out goals – he’s a goalscorer, he feels it.

“I’m so happy for him because he’s worked so hard to get back into a good rhythm. I think you should enjoy it. There’s so many tough times and you have to enjoy the moments.”

Brentford have now recorded two wins and three draws from their five matches. Chelsea, meanwhile, failed to score in a Premier League match for the first time since April.

Andrews said the result reflected the attitude being developed within his squad.

“I felt like there was something bubbling towards tonight and I have this unbelievable calm around our team because I trust them,” he said.

“I see a humility and hunger within the group and we can challenge each other. We have to continue to get better in this league.”