It might be a good idea to keep a stack of tissue papers handy when you’re around Chelsea fans. It seems Chelsea has become the epicenter of “shege” (trouble). Can this club manage to avoid further disgracing its devoted supporters? It’s like there’s a persistent cloud of misfortune hanging over Stamford Bridge. In the latest episode of Chelsea’s woes, they suffered a crippling 2-0 defeat at home to Brentford in the West London derby.
Even with their lavish spending, the Blues have managed to win just one out of their last 13 Premier League home games over the past two seasons. This latest setback has punctured any hopeful notions that Mauricio Pochettino was steering Chelsea back on course. The big question is, what exactly is going wrong at this once-mighty club?
Brentford’s French-born Cameroonian sensation, Bryan Mbeumo, stole the spotlight with his celebration after netting the second goal during this West London showdown. Chelsea’s fans must be scratching their heads in disbelief. It’s like the scriptwriters of a tragicomedy took over the club.
Pochettino’s reign had a rocky start, but there were flickers of hope with consecutive wins over Fulham and Burnley. However, they managed to let a two-goal lead slip away in a 2-2 draw against Arsenal. It’s almost as if they’re trying to keep their fans on an emotional rollercoaster.
In this latest match, Chelsea initially looked promising, pinning Brentford back, but the same old story unfolded. They lacked the clinical edge needed to turn promising attacks into goals. Pochettino was hoping for a silver lining with Christopher Nkunku’s return from injury, but it’s clear that Chelsea’s new striker, Nicolas Jackson, is struggling to find his form.
Noni Madueke came agonizingly close to breaking the deadlock with a scorching strike that rattled the crossbar. The likes of Raheem Sterling have been the sparks in Chelsea’s attack, but even he wasn’t spared from wastefulness.
Brentford didn’t pose much of a threat in the first half, but Chelsea failed to learn from their past mistakes. The defending for Brentford’s goal would have made Pochettino pull his hair out, as Ethan Pinnock capitalized on some defensive daydreaming by Madueke.
Even though Chelsea dominated possession, it was Brentford who looked more likely to extend their lead. The Blues’ goalkeeper, Robert Sanchez, had to make some desperate saves to keep them in the game.
Chelsea’s bid for an equalizer backfired as Brentford capitalized on Sanchez’s decision to venture forward for a corner. Neal Maupay provided Bryan Mbeumo with the simplest of tap-ins.
Brentford became the first team ever to win their first three Premier League away games against the Blues. The Chelsea faithful must be in dire need of emotional support. It’s hard not to feel for them as they navigate this rollercoaster of highs and lows.
