Brentford 0-1 Chelsea: Ben Chilwell goal wins west London derby

Chelsea returned to the top of the Premier League as Ben Chilwell's strike - and some strong work to hold off intense late pressure - clinched victory at west London neighbours Brentford.

After Liverpool had gone top by thrashing Watford earlier on Saturday, Thomas Tuchel's side responded in the late game with a mature and dogged display against their promoted hosts.

England left-back Chilwell scored in the final minute of the first half with his third goal in three games for club and country.

The European champions dominated the first half but had to dig deep to secure the three points in the first league meeting between the two clubs in 74 years.

The outcome would have been different had Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo scored instead of twice hitting the Blues woodwork either side of Chilwell's winner.

In a frantic final 15 minutes where Brentford threw everything at their opponents, Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy had to make two important and brave saves, while Blues league debutant Malang Sarr also cleared off the line.

Senegal international Mendy also tipped over an acrobatic effort from Bees midfielder Christian Norgaard in injury-time, sealing a victory which the Blues keeper celebrated wildly with his team-mates at the final whistle, while the relieved away fans sang their delight.

More to follow.

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Brentford

Squad number1Player nameRaya

Squad number22Player nameM Jorgensen

Squad number18Player nameJansson

Squad number5Player namePinnock

Squad number7Player nameCanós

Squad number15Player nameOnyeka

Squad number6Player nameNørgaard

Squad number8Player nameJensen

Squad number3Player nameHenry

Squad number19Player nameMbeumo

Squad number17Player nameToney

Squad number9Player nameForss

Squad number14Player nameGhoddos

Chelsea

Squad number16Player nameMendy

Squad number14Player nameChalobah

Squad number4Player nameChristensen

Squad number31Player nameSarr

Squad number28Player nameAzpilicueta

Squad number7Player nameKanté

Squad number12Player nameLoftus-Cheek

Squad number8Player nameKovacic

Squad number21Player nameChilwell

Squad number11Player nameWerner

Squad number9Player nameLukaku

Squad number19Player nameMount

Squad number24Player nameJames

Squad number29Player nameHavertz

Line-ups

Brentford

Formation 3-5-2

1Raya

22M Jorgensen18Jansson5Pinnock

7Canós15Onyeka6Nørgaard8Jensen3Henry

19Mbeumo17Toney

Substitutes

Chelsea

Formation 3-5-2

16Mendy

14Chalobah4Christensen31Sarr

28Azpilicueta7Kanté12Loftus-Cheek8Kovacic21Chilwell

11Werner9Lukaku

Substitutes

Live Text

Match ends, Brentford 0, Chelsea 1.

Second Half ends, Brentford 0, Chelsea 1.

Attempt blocked. Christian Nørgaard (Brentford) header from the centre of the box is blocked.

Attempt blocked. Saman Ghoddos (Brentford) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

Attempt blocked. Christian Nørgaard (Brentford) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Mathias Jensen with a cross.

Corner, Brentford. Conceded by Édouard Mendy.

Attempt saved. Christian Nørgaard (Brentford) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Zanka with a headed pass.

Reece James (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Christian Nørgaard (Brentford).

Substitution, Chelsea. Reece James replaces César Azpilicueta.

Attempt missed. Christian Nørgaard (Brentford) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.

Attempt saved. Pontus Jansson (Brentford) right footed shot from very close range is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ethan Pinnock with a headed pass.

Attempt blocked. Christian Nørgaard (Brentford) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.

Attempt saved. Ethan Pinnock (Brentford) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Rico Henry with a cross.

Attempt blocked. Christian Nørgaard (Brentford) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.

Attempt saved. Saman Ghoddos (Brentford) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.

Attempt saved. Saman Ghoddos (Brentford) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.

Attempt blocked. Marcus Forss (Brentford) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

Foul by Timo Werner (Chelsea).

Christian Nørgaard (Brentford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

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