Chelsea fought back from a goal down but were denied victory by a late Brentford equalizer, with Moises Caicedo and Cole Palmer scoring superb goals for the Blues.
Brentford took the lead against the run of play in the first half through Kevin Schade’s deflected effort. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca responded with a series of substitutions at and after half-time, which seemed to secure the win. Cole Palmer, returning from injury, equalized after a Joao Pedro header from an Enzo Fernandez cross, and Caicedo’s stunning top-corner strike put Chelsea ahead with five minutes left. However, in stoppage time, Brentford substitute Fabio Carvalho capitalized on a loose ball at the back post to make it 2-2, despite strong saves from Robert Sanchez.
Lineup and Changes
Facundo Buonanotte debuted for Chelsea on loan from Brighton, joining Pedro Neto and Jamie Gittens behind striker Joao Pedro. Enzo Fernandez captained the side alongside Caicedo in midfield. Robert Sanchez started in goal, with Jorrel Hato and Wesley Fofana coming into the defense for Marc Cucurella and Malo Gusto. Trevoh Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo completed the backline.
First Half: Chelsea Control, Brentford Strike
Chelsea dominated early possession, allowing debutants Hato and Buonanotte to settle in. Buonanotte created the first chance, winning the ball and setting up Joao Pedro, whose shot was blocked. Brentford’s Igor Thiago was booked early for a foul on Chalobah, reflecting their frustration as Chelsea controlled the game. Despite this, Brentford scored first when Jordan Henderson’s long ball found Schade, whose shot deflected off Tosin past Sanchez. Chelsea nearly equalized when Fernandez hit the post from a corner, but Brentford led at the break.
Second Half: Chelsea Fight Back
Maresca made three half-time changes, bringing on Marc Cucurella, Tyrique George, and Reece James (who took the captain’s armband) for Hato, Fofana, and Buonanotte. Brentford started brightly, but Chelsea soon took charge. Substitute George forced a fine save from Caoimhin Kelleher, and Palmer’s introduction shifted the game further. Five minutes after coming on, Palmer equalized, sweeping in a first-time shot after Joao Pedro headed down Fernandez’s cross. Sanchez’s fingertip save denied Schade a second, while Neto and Palmer continued to trouble Brentford’s defense. Yehor Yarmoliuk was booked for fouling Palmer, and Kelleher denied Palmer again after a Neto assist.
With 10 minutes left, Alejandro Garnacho debuted, replacing Joao Pedro. Caicedo then produced a moment of magic, smashing a fierce shot into the top corner to give Chelsea the lead. Sanchez made another key save, but Brentford equalized in added time when a long throw bounced through to Carvalho, who scored from close range.
What’s Next?
Chelsea now turn to their UEFA Champions League opener against Bayern Munich on Wednesday at 8pm UK time, followed by a Premier League trip to Manchester United next Saturday at 5:30pm.
Teams
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Fofana (James h-t), Chalobah, Tosin, Hato (Cucurella h-t); Caicedo, Fernandez (c); Neto, Buonanotte (George h-t), Gittens (Palmer 56); Joao Pedro (Garnacho 79)
Unused subs: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Gusto, Santos
Scorers: Palmer 61, Caicedo 86
Booked: Hato 30, George 90+1
Brentford (5-3-2): Kelleher; Kayode (Hickey 83), Collins (c), Van den Berg, Pinnock (Ajer 83), Lewis-Potter (Carvalho 88); Yarmoliuk, Henderson, Jensen (Henry 73); Schade, Thiago (Ouattara 73)
Unused subs: Valdimarsson, Janelt, Onyeka, Nelson
Scorers: Schade 35, Carvalho 90+4
Booked: Thiago 8, Yarmoliuk 64, Henry 82
Referee: Stuart Attwell
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