Axel Disasi’s header ensured Chelsea left with a point, but it was when Brentford took their 2-1 lead that the supporters made one of their own, showing how much they are longing for the past and ruing their present predicament.
First, they sang ‘Roman Abramovich’, the name of their Russian owner who delivered them trophies galore. Then, ‘Boehly, you’re a c***’, taking aim at their new American overlord. Next came ‘Jose Mourinho’, their legendary manager who, as we all know, is out of work. Then, ‘F*** off Mauricio’, not the nicest words for Pochettino to hear on the day he turned 52.
Chelsea salvaged something out of this nervy game against a team striving to stay in the Premier League. At full-time, their players approached the away end, where a young fan was holding a scribbled sign on a piece of cardboard which read: ‘I don’t want your shirt. I only want you to play for yours.’
Only a win would have eased the pressure on Pochettino. Chelsea toiled to their FA Cup win over Championship Leeds on Wednesday and this draw hardly did their pursuit of sneaking European qualification via the Premier League any good.
For the first time in six months, Chelsea started a match with a back three. Pochettino last tried this tactic in a 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest on September 2, yet he saw matching up to Thomas Frank’s Brentford as the likeliest route to victory here.
Axel Disasi celebrates scoring the goal that levelled things for Chelsea against Brentford
Yoane Wissa’s stunning bicycle-kick put the Bees into the lead in the second half
Mads Roerslev celebrates drawing Brentford level in the West London derby against Chelsea
Chelsea rarely looked in complete control, however. It was scrappy from the start as they scuffed a series of half-chances, from a dragged effort by Enzo Fernandez which nearly set up Nicolas Jackson to a looping header by Disasi which landed on top of the net.
Brentford created their own opportunities, one volley by Ivan Toney needing blocking by Levi Colwill while Yoane Wissa sent a 25-yard curler narrowly wide of Djordje Petrovic’s goal.
Petrovic was not worried about that attempt from Wissa, though there was a nervy glance towards referee Jarred Gillett when Brentford claimed he caught one ball outside of his box.
Unsure, Gillett gave nothing, with the home support colourfully letting him know their thoughts.
Wissa was at the heart of Brentford’s best chances in the first half, sending one cross from Toney into the side-netting before an overhead kick was gratefully received by Petrovic.
Chelsea should have scored in the 30th minute when Fernandez played a nice pass in behind for Jackson.
He rounded Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken but the right-footer’s left-footed attempt was so weak, Zanka had time to get back to clear his goal-line.
Jackson made up for that mishap as Chelsea made it 1-0 in the 35th minute. Malo Gusto’s cross was perfect as the striker sprinted forwards to thunder his header beyond Flekken.
He celebrated by shushing the Brentford supporters who had been delighting in his misfortune.
Brentford’s hopes of completing only their second-ever league double over Chelsea – the last time coming in the 1938-39 season – looked like slipping away until it became 1-1 in the 50th minute.
Amid mayhem in the area, Sergio Reguilon snatched at a shot which landed kindly at the feet of Mads Roerslev, who tapped in while Disasi watched the ball roll by him.
That was criminal by Disasi, who can be prone to a defensive mistake as he then backed off Vitaly Janelt as he struck the post with Petrovic rooted. Suddenly, Chelsea were clinging on.
Nicolas Jackson looked to silence the jeers after scoring the opening goal for Chelsea
It was another frustrating day for Mauricio Pochettino in the Chelsea dugout at Brentford
They had the chance to take the lead on the counter when Gusto rolled a perfect pass into the path of Cole Palmer. He had Kristoffer Ajer between him and goal but all he had to do was pick a corner to score. Instead, he fired wide, leaving those wearing blue with heads in hands.
How costly that turned out to be, because Brentford then took a 2-1 lead. There was a good advantage played by Gillett as Frank Onyeka inadvertently flicked the ball into the air. It was begging for an overhead kick and Wissa obliged, brilliantly beating Petrovic.
Chelsea’s supporters sang every song on the disgruntled hymn sheet, from ‘Roman Abramovich’ to ‘Boehly, you’re a c***’ to ‘Jose Mourinho’ to ‘F*** off Mauricio’.
Yet the team ignored this mutinous atmosphere to make it 2-2, with Palmer’s cross being headed home by Disasi. A draw will not do much to help ease the pressure on Pochettino, but it is certainly better than a defeat.
