Brentford exposed Chelsea’s defensive frailties to inflict a damaging 3-0 defeat on Friday, leaving Xabi Alonso with plenty to ponder during the three-week international break.
After a promising start under the former Real Madrid coach, Chelsea have now collected just one point from their last three league games.
Goals from Jaidon Anthony, Igor Thiago and Fabio Carvalho lifted unbeaten Brentford above their west London neighbours and into third place in the Premier League.
Chelsea had quickly earned a reputation as the league’s great entertainers under Alonso, with their opening four games producing 19 goals.
But the loss of Joao Pedro to a knee injury blunted the Blues’ free-flowing attack, with Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers comfortably contained by a disciplined Brentford defence.
After last weekend’s 2-2 draw against Hull, Alonso admitted he was hoping for more “boring” games going forward.
The Spaniard appeared to prioritise control against Brentford, making four changes and handing Jordan Henderson his first Chelsea start against his former club.
Alonso got his wish during a flat first half in which neither goalkeeper was seriously tested. Brentford, however, emerged as the more threatening side after the interval.
Chelsea’s vulnerability at set-pieces was exposed just after the hour mark when Jannick Schuster rose highest to meet Mikkel Damsgaard’s corner, allowing Anthony to head into an unguarded net.
Chelsea’s response was muted and, as they pushed forward in search of an equaliser, Alonso’s side were increasingly vulnerable to the counter-attack.
Kevin Schade should have doubled Brentford’s lead after being played clean through on Emi Martinez. Although the Argentine goalkeeper spread himself to make the save, the rebound fell kindly for Thiago, who ended his goal drought from close range.
The Brazilian scored 25 times last season, earning a surprise call-up to Carlo Ancelotti’s World Cup squad as a result.
Thiago had looked short of confidence in the opening weeks of the campaign, making his celebration all the more emphatic as he tore off his shirt after scoring his first Premier League goal of the season.
Chelsea have now conceded at least twice in all five league games under Alonso, and there was still time for further punishment.
Schade’s low cross was deflected into the path of Carvalho, who fired high past Martinez in stoppage time to complete a convincing victory and send Brentford boss Keith Andrews roaring into the night sky in delight.
Brentford, who also beat Tottenham 3-0 on the opening weekend, remain unbeaten and sit behind only defending champions Arsenal and Manchester City at the top of the table.
For Chelsea, the defeat was another reminder of the size of the challenge facing Alonso if they are to become genuine title contenders once again.
AFP
