Chelsea 1-4 Brentford: Christian Eriksen scores first Bees goal in comeback win

Christian Eriksen scored his first goal for Brentford as they closed in on Premier League safety by outclassing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Brentford produced a magnificent display to record their first win over Chelsea since 1939 as they came from behind to stun Thomas Tuchel's side with three goals in 10 minutes in the second half before adding a fourth late on to humiliate the Champions League holders.

The Bees enjoyed the better of the first half but were punished for not taking chances when Antonio Rudiger flashed a brilliant 30-yard finish past David Raya three minutes after the restart.

Brentford's response was instant and spectacular as Vitaly Janelt hammered home the equaliser two minutes later before the golden moment in the 54th minute as Bryan Mbeumo squared a pass for Eriksen to score in front of the joyous visiting support.

And Brentford were not finished there, Janelt breaking clear again on the hour to beat Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy before substitute Yoane Wissa completed their glory day in the closing moments.

Brentford are now on 33 points, 11 clear of Watford, who are third from bottom, and can now surely contemplate Premier League football again next season.

Eriksen stars in fine victory

Christian Eriksen provided the story of this truly remarkable Brentford win with that first goal for the club since making his comeback with the Bees after suffering a cardiac arrest playing for Denmark against Finland at Euro 2020 in June.

It was a wonderful moment but was simply the flourish on a quite brilliant team performance from Brentford, who thoroughly deserved one of the greatest victories in the club's history. The margin of the scoreline did not flatter them.

Thomas Frank's side took the fight to Chelsea from the first whistle, with striker Ivan Toney having three presentable chances as they went right on the front foot.

If there was any disappointment, it was the fact they did not cash in on that superiority, and they paid for it when Rudiger fired Chelsea in front.

Brentford's response was truly outstanding, giving them the result that surely means they will stay in the Premier League next season.

And there is no doubt Eriksen's presence has lifted those around him. Brentford have won all three games he has started since making his comeback as a substitute against Newcastle United in late February.

Eriksen may be the star name but this was the complete all-round display, with Toney giving Chelsea's vulnerable defence a torrid time and Janelt providing the cutting edge.

Brentford were also resolute in defence, with Frank and his players fully deserving the huge ovation they received from their ecstatic fans after the final whistle.

Chelsea get what they deserve

Chelsea can have no complaints about this defeat or the embarrassing scoreline as they were abject in a performance that was completely out of character with their recent efforts.

Tuchel's side won their six matches in March but were never fully switched on from first to last and paid the price.

If there is any consolation for Tuchel - and he will have to search very hard to find any - it is that this did not come in Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge.

If they repeat this horrible defensive performance, and indeed their entire shambolic effort, their hopes of retaining the trophy they won last June might be over.

Despite the usually reliable presence of Rudiger and Thiago Silva, Chelsea were never unable to control Brentford, who ran them ragged and actually scored have scored more than four goals.

Chelsea must hope this is a blip, rather like their 5-2 home loss to the eventually relegated West Brom last season, because they cannot afford this when Real Madrid come here this week.

The likes of Karim Benzema would have been licking their lips watching this defensive fiasco.

Player of the match

EriksenChristian Eriksen

Chelsea

Squad number7Player nameKanté

Squad number2Player nameRüdiger

Squad number19Player nameMount

Squad number16Player nameMendy

Squad number6Player nameThiago Silva

Squad number29Player nameHavertz

Squad number28Player nameAzpilicueta

Squad number22Player nameZiyech

Squad number11Player nameWerner

Squad number12Player nameLoftus-Cheek

Squad number3Player nameAlonso

Squad number24Player nameJames

Squad number8Player nameKovacic

Squad number9Player nameLukaku

Brentford

Squad number21Player nameEriksen

Squad number11Player nameWissa

Squad number8Player nameJensen

Squad number27Player nameJanelt

Squad number7Player nameCanós

Squad number19Player nameMbeumo

Squad number17Player nameToney

Squad number6Player nameNørgaard

Squad number3Player nameHenry

Squad number1Player nameRaya

Squad number18Player nameJansson

Squad number20Player nameAjer

Squad number30Player nameRoerslev

Squad number5Player namePinnock

Line-ups

Chelsea

Formation 4-3-3

16Mendy

28Azpilicueta6Thiago Silva2Rüdiger3Alonso

19Mount12Loftus-Cheek7Kanté

22Ziyech29Havertz11Werner

Substitutes

Brentford

Formation 5-3-2

1Raya

30Roerslev20Ajer18Jansson5Pinnock3Henry

21Eriksen6Nørgaard27Janelt

19Mbeumo17Toney

Substitutes

Live Text

Match ends, Chelsea 1, Brentford 4.

Second Half ends, Chelsea 1, Brentford 4.

Attempt missed. Kristoffer Ajer (Brentford) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Christian Eriksen with a cross following a corner.

Corner, Brentford. Conceded by Reece James.

Attempt missed. Kai Havertz (Chelsea) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Hakim Ziyech with a cross following a corner.

Corner, Chelsea. Conceded by Kristoffer Ajer.

Attempt blocked. Mateo Kovacic (Chelsea) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

Reece James (Chelsea) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Foul by Mathias Jensen (Brentford).

Substitution, Brentford. Sergi Canós replaces Rico Henry.

Goal! Chelsea 1, Brentford 4. Yoane Wissa (Brentford) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner following a set piece situation.

Foul by Hakim Ziyech (Chelsea).

Ivan Toney (Brentford) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Substitution, Brentford. Yoane Wissa replaces Bryan Mbeumo.

Corner, Chelsea. Conceded by Christian Nørgaard.

Attempt missed. Antonio Rüdiger (Chelsea) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Ruben Loftus-Cheek with a headed pass following a corner.

Attempt missed. Antonio Rüdiger (Chelsea) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left following a corner.

Corner, Chelsea. Conceded by Kristoffer Ajer.

Substitution, Brentford. Mathias Jensen replaces Vitaly Janelt.

Attempt missed. Kai Havertz (Chelsea) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Hakim Ziyech with a cross.

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