Brentford 0-1 Chelsea: Ben Chilwell goal and Mendy heroics, earn hard fought win for Blues

A Ben Chilwell first-half goal and three heroic saves from Edouard Mendy late on, saw Chelsea grab a hard fought win away at Brentford.

Bryan Mbeumo hit the post for Brentford in the first half, while Timo Werner missed two fine chances for the visitors, but Chelsea went into the break in front, through Chilwell’s half volley from just inside the area on 45′ minutes, his third goal in three games for club and country.

Mbeumo hit the post again in the second half as Brentford piled on intense pressure on Chelsea, following a late resurgence into the game.

However, Edouard Mendy saved brilliantly three times late on, first from Brentford substitute Saman Ghoddos, then with his face from Pontus Jansson at point-blank range, before tipping over Christian Norgaard’s stunning overhead kick in stoppage time.

After wins for Liverpool and Man City earlier on Saturday, the pressure was on Chelsea to keep up the pace in what promises to be a tight title race, and they returned to the top of the Premier League table with their sixth win of the season.