Graham Potter defended his resolution to go away Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on the bench for 81 minutes of Chelsea’s goalless derby draw at Brentford.
Former Arsenal striker Aubameyang, who has scored 3 times in his final 5 matches, was left kicking his heels as his team-mates laboured in entrance of purpose.
Aubameyang was lastly despatched on with 9 minutes remaining however his solely half-chance was a low drive from exterior the world which was simply gathered by Bees keeper David Raya.
When quizzed on why Aubameyang was not despatched on sooner, Potter mentioned: “I know the reasons why. He’s played a lot and it gave Kai Havertz a chance to play. But yes, I understand the question.”
It was a match the place the 2 goalkeepers have been the stand-out gamers, Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga within the first half and fellow Spaniard Raya within the second.
Kepa tipped Ivan Toney’s header over and made a point-blank save from Bryan Mbeumo, whereas Raya stored out Cesar Azpilicueta’s drive and saved from teenage substitute Carney Chukwuemeka in stoppage time.
“I thought over the course of the game a point was fair; they had chances, we had chances, we pushed and pushed at the end but they make it hard for you,” added Potter. “They do what they do really well. Full respect to them.
“The positives are a clean sheet and a point. Four points from two away matches is positive and we have to move on.”
Conor Gallagher appeared to provide England boss Gareth Southgate one other health concern forward of the World Cup when he got here off after simply 13 minutes.
But Potter revealed: “I haven’t spoken to the doctors but he just felt ill, he said he thought he was going to be sick. Hopefully it’s a 24-hour thing and he’ll be OK.”
Brentford boss Thomas Frank revels in giving the highest groups an uncomfortable time at their Gtech Stadium.
He mentioned: “I’m very proud of my team. I simply love the attitude and work ethic. We were brave, cool and aggressive and it’s unbelievably impressive that we make it so difficult.
“The day we got promoted 18 months ago they won the Champions League title with mainly the same players.
“Yet we can completely fairly say that if there was going to be a winner it should have been us. And that’s really impressive.”
Source: www.impartial.co.uk
