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Marc Cucurella scored his first goal since May 2022 but was later given a red card after the final whistle Chelsea moved within touching distance of Premier League leaders Liverpool with a narrow victory over Brentford at Stamford Bridge. Enzo Maresca's side now sit second in the table two points behind the Reds, who have the advantage of having played a game less. However, Chelsea's seventh consecutive win in all competitions will only serve to underline their status as genuine title contenders. Marc Cucurella's first-half header set them on their way against Brentford, with the left-back stealing in to nod in from Noni Madueke's curling delivery from the right wing. However, the Spaniard was later shown a second yellow card after the final whistle after appearing to shove Kevin Schade, to sour an evening when he ought to have just been celebrating his first goal since May 2022. Chelsea's second came in the closing stages when centre forward Nicolas Jackson sprinted on to Enzo Fernandez's pass to dispatch a low shot past Bees goalkeeper Mark Flekken into the right corner. The Senegal international's effort came as Thomas Frank's side threatened to level in a match which the hosts had largely dominated. Christian Norgaard's volley was superbly saved by home goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, while Fabio Carvalho was unable to convert a gilt-edged opportunity - rattling the Chelsea crossbar, from close range. The hosts were still made to hold on in a nervy finale after Bryan Mbeumo registered his 10th top-flight goal of the season, with a well-placed finish past Sanchez. This video can not be played Chelsea 2-1 Brentford: Blues showed spirit but not ready to compete for title - Maresca In the pre-match build-up, much had been made of the timing of this kick-off following Chelsea's trip to Kazakhstan in their Uefa Conference League on Thursday. However, Tosin Adarabioyo was the only Chelsea player to start both matches, with Maresca enjoying the luxury of being able to make wholesale changes to the youthful side that won at Astana. And a Chelsea team with a much more familiar feel to it fashioned 15 efforts on goal in the first half alone as they attempted to put the game beyond a Brentford side who had won the corresponding fixture in each of the previous three years. Jackson had a left-foot volley expertly repelled by Flekken, while the likes of Fernandez, Cole Palmer and Madueke also tested the Netherlands international. The second half followed a similar pattern with Jackson guilty of a glaring miss and Flekken tipping another to safety. At times it felt like Jackson was on a personal crusade to beat the Brentford custodian, with his seven efforts the joint-highest total for a Chelsea player in the league this season. The former Villarreal forward's numbers around shot accuracy and conversion rates have all been trending in an upwards direction during 2024-25 and his ninth goal of what is quickly turning into a prolific campaign ultimately proved decisive. This video can not be played Chelsea 2-1 Brentford: Frank says Bees very close to 'deserved' draw After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users. Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Last Updated 15th December 2024 at 20: 55 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Enzo Maresca Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Thomas Frank Formation: 3 - 5 - 2 Manager: Enzo Maresca Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Thomas Frank Formation: 3 - 5 - 2 Premier League All competitions All competitions All competitions Chelsea won their first Premier League meeting with Brentford but are since winless in their last five against them (D2 L3), with all three defeats coming at Stamford Bridge. Brentford have won all three of their Premier League away games against Chelsea. The last team to win four consecutive top-flight away games against the Blues were Leeds United (6 between 1973 and 1991). None of the six Premier League meetings between Chelsea and Brentford have been won by the home side (D2 L4) – only Bournemouth vs Watford (10) has been played more often without ever seeing a home win. Chelsea have won each of their last four Premier League games, and the last three while scoring three or more goals in each. Only once before in the Blues’ history have they scored 3+ goals in four successive top-flight matches, doing so in November/December 1954 under Ted Drake en route to winning the title that season. Despite being the highest scorers in the Premier League this season with 35 goals, Chelsea have scored almost twice as many of these away from home (23) as they have at Stamford Bridge (12). Meanwhile, Brentford are the highest Premier League scorers in home games this term (26), but only Southampton (4) have scored fewer on the road than the Bees (5). Brentford have scored 31 and conceded 28 goals in the Premier League this season. Should they concede twice against Chelsea, they will be just the second side to reach both 30 goals scored and conceded in their opening 16 matches of a season in the competition, after Leeds United in 2020-21. Cole Palmer has been involved in 38 Premier League goals in 2024 (25 goals, 13 assists), more than any other player and the most of any Chelsea player in a single calendar year in the competition. The last player to reach 40 in a single year was Mohamed Salah in 2018 (40), while the last Englishman to do so was Harry Kane in 2017 (46). Yoane Wissa’s goal against Newcastle last time out was his 35th in the Premier League, just one behind Brentford’s record goalscorer in the competition (Ivan Toney with 36). Chelsea’s Jadon Sancho has scored in his last two Premier League games – he last scored in three consecutive top-flight appearances in February 2021 while at Borussia Dortmund. Bryan Mbeumo has scored nine Premier League goals for Brentford this season, his joint-most in a single campaign (also 9 in both 2022-23 and 2023-24). No Cameroonian has ever scored 10 goals in a single campaign in the competition. Match ends, Chelsea 2, Brentford 1. Second yellow card to Marc Cucurella (Chelsea). Kevin Schade (Brentford) is shown the yellow card. Second Half ends, Chelsea 2, Brentford 1. Vitaly Janelt (Brentford) is shown the yellow card. Marc Cucurella (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Sepp van den Berg (Brentford). Marc Cucurella (Chelsea) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Foul by Marc Cucurella (Chelsea). Fábio Carvalho (Brentford) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea). Vitaly Janelt (Brentford) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Enzo Fernández (Chelsea). Christian Nørgaard (Brentford) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea) wins a free kick on the left wing. Foul by Christian Nørgaard (Brentford). Attempt blocked. Cole Palmer (Chelsea) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Jadon Sancho. Corner, Brentford. Conceded by Malo Gusto. Fourth official has announced 7 minutes of added time. Goal! Chelsea 2, Brentford 1. Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford) left footed shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Kevin Schade with a through ball following a fast break. © 2024 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.