Chelsea claimed a hard-earned home victory over Brentford, giving head coach Liam Rosenior his first Premier League win, despite his side being second best for long stretches at Stamford Bridge.
Goals from Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer sealed a 2–0 success that lifted Chelsea above their west London rivals into sixth place. Yet the scoreline flattered the hosts, who spent much of the contest chasing a Brentford side that dominated possession and fashioned the clearer chances.
The visitors started with purpose. Kevin Schade tested Chelsea’s back line early on and then passed up a shooting opportunity in favour of feeding Mikkel Damsgaard, epitomising Brentford’s sharp, confident opening. Their intensity unsettled Chelsea, who struggled to establish control in midfield.
Chelsea’s response was steady rather than convincing. Palmer curled an effort over the bar and Joao Pedro had a penalty appeal waved away before the Brazilian struck decisively in the 26th minute. Enzo Fernández pressed high on the edge of the Brentford area, forcing an error from Michael Kayode, and the loose ball fell invitingly to Joao Pedro, who lashed an emphatic finish past Caoimhin Kelleher.
Rather than retreat, Brentford raised their level. Damsgaard, Schade and Mathias Jensen all went close, with Jensen rattling the post, while Chelsea were let off the hook when Alejandro Garnacho somehow failed to convert from six yards at the other end.
The pattern continued after the interval. Robert Sánchez produced a superb one-on-one save to deny Schade as Brentford probed relentlessly in search of an equaliser.
Rosenior reacted by withdrawing Garnacho for Andrey Santos in a defensive reshuffle, but the change only ceded further initiative to the visitors. Igor Thiago, so clinical for much of the season, then squandered a gilt-edged chance, heading wide from close range.
Chelsea punished the miss moments later. A loose pass from Nathan Collins and sluggish reactions from Kelleher allowed substitute Liam Delap to pounce, with the Brentford goalkeeper bringing him down inside the penalty area. Palmer stepped up and calmly converted from the spot to double Chelsea’s lead and effectively settle the contest.
It was a victory built more on resilience than control, but for Rosenior, it marked a crucial milestone — his first Premier League win — and a result that keeps Chelsea firmly in the hunt for European qualification.
