Brentford Punish Chelsea Collapse to Send Andrews’ Side Third

LONDON — Chelsea’s winless streak reached three matches after a 3-0 defeat against Brentford, with a late defensive collapse deepening Xabi Alonso’s troubling stretch in charge. The result moved Keith Andrews’ side up to third place in the Premier League.

Chelsea had arrived seeking a rebound after losing to Arsenal and being held to a disappointing home draw against Hull City. Their starting lineup included midfielder Jordan Henderson, making his first start for Chelsea against his former club, but the team created little danger in front of Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.

The opening 37 minutes produced only limited action on target. Pedro Neto tested Kelleher in the ninth minute, forcing the goalkeeper to palm away his shot, while Brentford’s Yehor Yarmoliuk later made Emiliano Martinez’s routine save their first effort on target. Five minutes before halftime, Morgan Rogers also saw a goal-bound effort blocked inside the penalty area by Brentford defender Jannik Schuster.

Brentford raised the intensity after the interval, with former Burnley winger Jaidon Anthony sending a header against the crossbar. The goal was ruled out for offside, but Anthony went on to break the deadlock in the 61st minute. Mikkel Damsgaard swung a corner from the left wing toward the far post, Schuster headed it back across the face of goal, and Anthony headed in from two yards out while unmarked to score his first goal for Brentford.

Valentin Barco was booed persistently by the crowd because of his history in Argentina’s World Cup semi-final win over England. During the second half, the Argentine international appealed for a penalty, but the referee promptly rejected the claim.

Chelsea held possession after Anthony’s goal without turning it into clear scoring chances. Joao Pedro was sidelined by injury, Danny Welbeck was closely contained by the Brentford defense, and Cole Palmer could not create meaningful space.

Brentford’s first Premier League win since the opening weekend appeared increasingly likely as Chelsea committed players forward. In the 83rd minute, Kevin Schade was played through on goal, and although Martinez saved his initial strike, Igor Thiago collected the rebound and slotted it into the net for his first Premier League goal of the season. The Brazilian forward had been left out of Carlo Ancelotti’s recent Brazil national team squad and received a yellow card for removing his shirt during the celebration.

Chelsea missed a late chance to respond in injury time when defender Maxence Lacroix headed over the crossbar. Soon afterward, Schade sent a deflected cross toward the far post during another rapid Brentford transition, allowing substitute Fabio Carvalho to latch onto the ball and strike it high into the net.

The victory lifted Brentford into third place in the league table ahead of the remaining weekend matches.