The enjoyable stops at one finish for Graham Potter, however there’s definitely now not laughter on the different.
Chelsea failed to attain for the primary time for the reason that new supervisor took over, however stored a fifth consecutive clear sheet due to one of many primary positives up to now. Kepa Arrizabalaga once more appeared the supreme goalkeeper that the membership thought they have been getting after they signed him in 2018. He might even be essentially the most in-form goalkeeper within the league proper now, as he adopted a wonderful efficiency at Aston Villa with an excellent higher one at Brentford, to safe a 0-0 draw.
Such sentiments alone illustrate how good Thomas Frank’s facet are. They deserved greater than a degree. They definitely should be seen as a lot greater than only a bottom-half facet who must be forgiving. They’re something however. A go to to the Gtech Community Stadium is changing into an actual problem, a contemporary equal of a visit to Stoke City in a way more aesthetically interesting approach, and the place you’ll actually must combat.
Manchester United understand it. Arsenal understand it. Chelsea understand it, however that was most keenly felt by Kepa.
He was the distinction between a chastening first defeat for Potter and a reasonably strong show that the English supervisor’s crew grew into.
Ivan Toney is in the meantime absolutely rising into a correct possibility for the World Cup. He didn’t rating right here, however that was solely via the heroics of Kepa. The extra related side for Gareth Southgate must be the kind of distinction he made, in addition to how distinctive he’s as a participant.
Kepa’s defence repeatedly struggled along with his motion.
Given that Potter has already constructed fairly a classy formation with Chelsea, Brentford had much more purpose to return to considered one of their extra rudimentary attacking approaches.
Kepa Arrizabalaga applauds the Chelsea followers
(AP)
That was aerial bombardment. It ought to at all times be acknowledged right here that there’s rather more calculation to this than Eighties route one, given the areas Brentford attempt to discover, however the very finish outcome might be comparable. It causes chaos. Chelsea struggled with it.
Brentford ceaselessly received in behind. They simply had a troublesome time getting previous Kepa.
The Spanish goalkeeper’s reactions have been sharpened by comparable assaults at Aston Villa on Sunday, particularly as he twice saved from point-blank vary, and it made him much more assured right here.
Brentford’s Ethan Pinnock (left) blocks a shot from Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling
(PA)
Toney ought to have been celebrating twice, and would have been have been it not for Kepa’s reflexes. It wasn’t simply that he was making these stops, both. Some, particularly the 2 from Toney, have been spectacular. The goalkeeper all of the sudden leapt again to tip the ball over the bar.
Kepa wasn’t the one one performing dramatic interventions, thoughts. Kalidou Koulibaly, who had sometimes been stretched in play, supplied some good recoveries with high-quality interventions. For one, the Senegalese centre-half received his foot to a ball simply as Toney was about to shoot.
All of this mirrored the very fact Brentford have been a lot the higher crew within the sport.
It was in all probability the least management Potter’s facet have had in a match since he joined, one thing that solely began to vary when Mateo Kovacic was launched, and that was for an early harm to Conor Gallagher.
It was after all the Croatian that put the energetic Armando Broja via for considered one of Chelsea’s finest probabilities. Ben Mee nearly did sufficient to pretty clip the ball away from the striker as he surged via.
Armando Broja is challenged by Ben Mee
(Getty Images)
It was all Chelsea had till Potter went for considered one of his tactical rethinks, this one coming mid-game moderately than between matches. All of Raheem Sterling, Christian Pulisic and – most intriguingly – Carney Chukwuemeka have been introduced on.
Chelsea started to claim management, and eventually play a lot larger up the pitch. It did give Kepa a distinct problem, although.
Rather than aerial bombardment, he needed to face speedy breaks on the bottom.
For one, he managed to get again to chop out one audacious lob. For two late on, he beautifully narrowed the angles of Toney and Rico Henry to smother probabilities.
Ivan Toney is denied by Kepa Arrizabalaga
(AP)
It ensured the sport remained within the stability.
David Raya even supplied a great cease on the finish for good measure. There was little doubt, nonetheless, which keeper had been most influential on this sport staying goalless.
It has turn into fairly an encouraging redemption, as Chelsea try to evolve into one thing else. Brentford, against this, have by no means been surer about what they’re.
Source: www.unbiased.co.uk
