Brentford 0-0 Chelsea
by Dom Smith
at Brentford Community Stadium

WHAT a rare sight it was to see both managers laughing and joking as they spoke to the TV broadcaster pitch-side ahead of kick-off. Graham Potter and Thomas Frank are kind, honest men as well as stylish, modern managers. The difference between them right now of course is that Frank has held the reins at Brentford for four years. Potter has barely been at Chelsea four weeks. For the first time, it showed.

Potter paid the price for resting a number of his key players for Saturday’s home match against Manchester United as the Bees held his Blues to a goalless draw. In the early stages at the Brentford Community Stadium, they simply couldn’t get the ball out from under their feet. Bit-part players Conor Gallagher and Armando Broja failed to make the most of rare starts. And it got worse for Gallagher, whose 15 minute’s poor showing came to an end as an injury forced him to be replaced by Mateo Kovacic.

Brentford, meanwhile, were supercharged by their fervent home support and encouraged towards Kepa Arrizabalaga’s goal every time they crossed the halfway line. Mads Roerslev’s cross brought them their first chance to beat the resurgent Spaniard who parried well from Ivan Toney’s header.