Chelsea were denied the chance to move top of the Premier League by Fabio Carvalho’s injury-time equaliser away at Brentford. Moises Caicedo produced a stunning strike worthy of winning any game when he thundered an effort past Caoimhin Kelleher from the edge of the penalty box in the 85th minute.
But the Blues let their lead slip late on when a long throw found its way through to Carvalho at the back post and he finished to earn the Bees a 2-2 draw. That came after Cole Palmer had brought the still-unbeaten Blues level from the bench, cancelling out Kevin Schade’s first-half opener. Chelsea were poised to rise to the summit of the table before Carvalho’s equaliser left them in fifth instead. Express Sport rates and slates the Chelsea players…
Chelsea player ratings vs Brentford
Robert Sanchez – 7
Didn’t face a single shot on target before Kevin Schade’s deflected goal. Made an excellent fingertip save to deny the goalscorer at 1-1 and parried a deflected cross that was threatening to sneak in.
Wesley Fofana – 4
Not a right-back and it showed on his first start in months. Hooked at half-time.
Trevoh Chalobah – 6
Great tackle to stop Igor Thiago going through one-on-one but made a few mistakes that put Chelsea under pressure in the second half.
Tosin Adarabioyo – 4
Good block to deny Schade early but couldn’t stop him scoring and otherwise struggled throughout. Not commanding enough in the air for Brentford’s second goal.
Jorrel Hato – 4
Is going to need time to adapt to Premier League football as he looked off the pace when trying to replace Marc Cucurella. Booked.
Moises Caicedo – 9
Monstrous in the duel and comfortably one of the best midfielders in Europe. His rocket of a goal should have won the game for Chelsea.
Enzo Fernandez – 7
Another hard-working performance with some excellent passes and turns.
Pedro Neto – 7
Almost scored a brilliant goal to put Chelsea in front and was a real threat second half. Could have had multiple assists on another night.
Facundo Buonanotte – 6
Unfortunate to come off at half-time as he was one of Chelsea’s brighter players first half.
Jamie Gittens – 4
Involved for the first 20 minutes but then faded out and understandably subbed.
Joao Pedro – 6
Nodded down expertly for Palmer’s equaliser. Only came off to keep him fit and fresh for Bayern Munich in midweek.
Substitutes
Marc Cucurella (on for Hato 46) – 6
Better than Hato and offered more offensively.
Reece James (on for Fofana 46) – 7
Brought far more threat than Fofana.
Tyrique George (on for Buonanotte 46) – 6
Forced a good save from Kelleher after coming on. Booked.
Cole Palmer (on for Gittens 56) – 7
Excellent positioning and finish to make it 1-1 but denied by Kelleher when he should have scored his second and scooped a late, late chance over the bar. Still made a massive difference though.
Alejandro Garnacho (on for Joao Pedro, 79) – 6
Was his cross that led to the Caicedo winner but then lost his man for Carvalho’s goal.