Chelsea Edges Past Brentford with 2-1 Win, Closing in on Liverpool

• Chelsea secured a 2-1 victory over Brentford, with goals from Marc Cucurella and Nicolas Jackson.
• The win was Chelsea’s fifth consecutive Premier League triumph, bringing them within two points of leaders Liverpool.
• Cucurella scored his first Premier League goal for Chelsea, but was sent off after receiving a second yellow card.
• Jackson netted his ninth league goal of the season, providing Chelsea with a crucial cushion.
• Despite Brentford’s strong second-half performance, including a last-minute goal from Bryan Mbeumo, Chelsea held on for the win.

Chelsea moved within two points of Premier League leaders Liverpool after securing a 2-1 victory over Brentford on Sunday, their fifth consecutive win. The Blues dominated possession early, registering 15 shots in the first half. Marc Cucurella opened the scoring in the 43rd minute, heading in a cross from Noni Madueke to mark his first Premier League goal for Chelsea.

However, Cucurella’s night was marred by a second yellow card after the final whistle for shoving Kevin Schade. Ten minutes before, Nicolas Jackson had doubled Chelsea’s lead, squeezing the ball past Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken to score his ninth league goal of the season. Jackson later credited the team’s success to following their manager’s game plan, even as Brentford applied pressure in the second half.

Brentford, known for their attacking threat, responded strongly after the break. Chelsea’s defense endured some nervy moments, with goalkeeper Robert Sanchez making a crucial save and substitute Fabio Carvalho nearly scoring. The visitors finally pulled a goal back in the dying moments through Mbeumo, but Chelsea held firm to maintain their advantage.

Despite the win, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca cautioned that his team is not yet ready to challenge for the Premier League title. He acknowledged the strength of rival teams, emphasizing the need for improvement in defensive consistency. While the fans can dream, Maresca remains focused on long-term growth rather than immediate title aspirations.