Brentford vs Chelsea LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction tonight
The Blues consolidated their place at the top of the table as the high-flying Bees came close to pulling off another shock
Chelsea held off a late onslaught from Brentford to achieve a narrow away victory on Saturday and consolidate their place at the top of the Premier League table.
Thomas Tuchel’s side had emerged as early frontrunners for the title, with confidence clearly flowing after their Champions League triumph in the spring, but they recently suffered back-to-back defeats against top teams in Man City and Juventus to somewhat lose momentum. The Blues have now responded with two straight wins, however, this victory over a spirited Brentford outfit earning Chelsea three invaluable points.
Left-back Ben Chilwell, making just his second league start of the season, fired the visitors ahead on the cusp of half-time, blasting a superb half-volley past David Raya for his third goal in as many games for club and country. Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy was equally important here, however, making a string of superb saves late in the game to help his side survive the swarming Bees. The best of the lot was a stop with his face to deny Pontus Jansson, though the Senegal international then also crucially tipped over a Christian Norgaard overhead kick from close range to secure the win.
Follow all the fallout from the top-flight meeting:
GOAL! Watford 0 - 3 Liverpool (Firmino, 52’)⚽️
52 mins: Liverpool have three! Firmino has two! Sadio Mane drops to collect the ball and slots it out to Robertson on the left wing. He comes inside and carries the ball up to the box. He swings a low pass into the box for Salah who’s in an offside position. The ball doesn’t reach him though as Cathcart attempts to intercept by sliding at the ball. He turns it back towards his own goal and Foster has to dive across to keep it out. The rebound comes to Firmino who sinks another tap in.
Watford 0 - 2 Liverpool
48 mins: Tom Cleverly is on for Watford having replaced Adam Masina at half-time.
Liverpool continue to press, they want to finish this game off. Matip sends the ball out wide to Alexander-Arnold who feeds a short pass to the edge of the box for Salah. Salah turns into the penalty area, checks to the left and hits one forcing Foster into a sharp save.
Second half: Watford 0 - 2 Liverpool
Kick off: Watford kick off the second half and send the ball long down the right side. It’s won by Robertson who fires a pass up the wing for Firmino. Liverpool burst forward on the counter-attack and Firmino sends the ball across to Alexander-Arnold. He carries it towards the edge of the box and hits one from range but pulls it wide of the far post.
Malleable Milner
James Milner becomes the oldest player to assist a goal for Liverpool in the Premier League since Gary McAllister, it’s also the 18th consecutive Premier League season when Milner has got an assist.
Not bad for a player who is used all over the pitch by Jurgen Klopp. He’s put in a good show so far today.
Woeful Watford
Claudio Ranieri won’t be able to believe what he’s seen from his Watford team today. They’ve been dreadful so far, there’s been no intent, no aggression and no commitment to get to the ball.
Liverpool have run rings around them with ease. They’ve scored two goal and could have doubled that.
Ranieri needs to give a big team talk during this break just to kick the Hornets into action.
100 up for Mane
Sadio Mané has become the third African player to reach 100 goals in the Premier League, after Didier Drogba and teammate Mohamed Salah.
He also becomes just the third player to reach 100 Premier League goals without any of them coming from the penalty spot, after Les Ferdinand and Emile Heskey.
Half-time: Watford 0 - 2 Liverpool
45+1 mins: Jurgen Klopp complained about the early kick off before the match but it hasn’t done anything to trouble Liverpool. They’ve eased to a two-goal lead and haven’t had to move out of first gear. Watford have offered nothing in front of goal and they’ve been pretty lacklustre defensively.
Watford 0 - 2 Liverpool
45 mins: Alexander-Arnold swings another corner into the box and picks out Matip who heads the ball down. Kucka gets to the ball first and heads it to Cathcart who clears it away.
One added minute to play in the first half.
Off the bar!
Watford 0 - 2 Liverpool
42 mins: Liverpool confidently work the ball up the left side of the pitch. Milner brings it inside and passes the ball back into the middle to Naby Keita. Keita rolls the ball onto his right foot and drills one from range. He connects well but the ball continues to rise and rattles into the crossbar.
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