Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liveupdated

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

Michael Jones
Saturday 16 October 2021 14:44 EDT
Comments
Tuchel on Chelsea injuries and Brentford

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:

Watford 0 - 2 Liverpool

40 mins: Sarr hasn’t had a lot to do in Liverpool’s half of the pitch but wins a free kick after spinning away from Henderson. The free kick comes into the Liverpool penalty area but the Reds defend it well.

Michael Jones16 October 2021 13:11

GOAL! Watford 0 - 2 Liverpool (Firmino, 37’)⚽️

37 mins: Liverpool have two! The Reds have been pushing and pushing for a second goal and they get one just before half-time. It’s another beautifully worked goal as Milner brings the ball under control in midfield. He sends it up to Mane and makes an overlapping run into the box. Mane slips the ball back to Milner who squares it from the byline and leaves Firmino with an easy tap-in from inside the six-yard box.

Michael Jones16 October 2021 13:07

Watford 0 - 1 Liverpool

36 mins: Not only is Sissoko commanding the midfield for Watford but he’s also covering Rose who’s repeatedly being beaten by Salah. Salah weaves around the left-back again and attempts a cross but Sissoko is there to block it.

Michael Jones16 October 2021 13:06

Watford 0 - 1 Liverpool

33 mins: Sissoko’s got a lot of work to do in the middle of the pitch for Watford and he’s having a decent game so far. He wins the ball off Henderson and sends it up to Hernandez to start Watford going on the counter-attack. Sarr mistimes his run and strays offside as Hernandez drives forward with the ball meaning Hernandez has to hold it up and is tackled by Matip.

Michael Jones16 October 2021 13:04

Watford 0 - 1 Liverpool

30 mins: The corner comes into the box from the left side but Adam Masina is up highest to win the ball in the air. He heads it out of the box and Dennis completes the clearance with a big hoof down the pitch.

Michael Jones16 October 2021 13:02

Watford 0 - 1 Liverpool

27 mins: Solid work from Troost-Ekong who marshals Salah out of the box after Alexander-Arnold chipped another lovely ball up to the forward.

Liverpool regain possession around the edge of the box and switch the play over to the left side where Keita wins a corner.

Michael Jones16 October 2021 13:01

Watford 0 - 1 Liverpool

24 mins: Alexander-Arnold passes the ball up to Firmino who attempts to flick it into the box for Salah but gets it wrong and is tackled. Watford seem to have closed ranks at the back. They’re closing down quicker and are showing fewer gaps in their backline.

Sarr is given the ball on the inside right by Mane and he runs it in field. Hernandez makes a run off the ball into the box as the ball is played up to him but Alexander-Arnold sprints back and blocks the shot with a sliding tackle.

Michael Jones16 October 2021 12:57

Watford 0 - 1 Liverpool

21 mins: A rare forward run from Watford sees Cucho Hernandez drive the ball down the left wing. He’s got Ismaila Sarr for company and attempts the play him into the box only for Virgil Van Dijk to get to the ball first and work it clear for the Reds.

At the other end of the pitch Alexander-Arnold knocks the ball over the Watford back line and plays Salah into the box. He’s being played onside by Kiko Femenia but his first touch is poor and the ball rolls away from him. Foster flies off his line and gets to the loose ball first booting it back down the pitch to stop Liverpool’s attack.

Michael Jones16 October 2021 12:51

Watford 0 - 1 Liverpool

18 mins: For all his struggles against Salah, Danny Rose is giving it a good go out there. Naby Keita slips another decent through ball into the box with this pass coming to Roberto Firmino. He runs with the ball and looks to shoot but Rose gets across him and wins the ball.

Michael Jones16 October 2021 12:47

Watford 0 - 1 Liverpool

15 mins: Chance! Mane makes a run into the left side of the box as Milner sweeps into the middle. Mane squares the ball and Milner manages to poke it through to Salah. He takes a shot with his first touch but it’s blocked by Rose and loops away from the Liverpool forward. Good defending.

Michael Jones16 October 2021 12:46

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in