Chelsea missed a major chance to strengthen control of a Premier League top-four position, as they were fought to a goalless draw by Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday.
Fresh from a vital victory against Tottenham, manager Enzo Maresca made some squad changes ahead of their UEFA Conference League quarter-final, with some players omitted to the bench.
That caution was there to see in a lacklustre first-half performance; Nkunku’s header was Chelsea’s only sight at goal in what was a thoroughly ordinary first 45. Brentford, by contrast, had half-chances for Kristoffer Ajer, Yoane Wissa and Mikkel Damsgaard but could not summon a clinical touch.
The second half saw Chelsea increase their urgency, with the introduction of Cole Palmer providing some incision. The winger forced Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken into a save with a curling effort before the hosts found their feet. Kevin Schade and Bryan Mbeumo both went close to finding the opener, with the latter forcing a smart save from Robert Sánchez.
Neither side could find a breakthrough despite Brentford’s late pressure. Brentford’s winless record at home against Chelsea — surrealistically to 1938 — rumbles on, while the Blues will lament a squandered opportunity in their pursuit of Champions League football.
