Fabio Carvalho tapped in an equalization of 93 minutes from a long throw to earn Brentford a 2-2 draw after Moises Caicedo smashed Chelsea in front of late.
Cole Palmer scored within five minutes after he got off the bench to cancel Kevin Schade’s first half-opener, who came from Jordan Henderson’s wonderful passport and launched another half-turn.
Palmer was introduced in the 56th minute on his return from a groin injury after Enzo Maresca made a triple replacement in half -time after a bad first half performance that saw them only one shot at the target.
Reece James and Marc Cucurella came to Wesley Fofana and Jorrel Hato, who both started at full back, while Tyrique George replaced Facundo Buonanotte as Chelsea stacked on the pressure before Caicedo blasted them in front with a shot from the edge of the area with only five minutes to the game.
However, Brentford refused to give in, and Schade’s long throws fell for replacement Carvalho, who had run in behind Chelsea debutant Alejandro Garnacho at the back post, to get a point and refuse blues from going the top of the Premier League.
Why did Maresca Fofana, Hato and Buonanotte start?
Maresca’s starting lineup suggested he was watching Chelsea’s Champions League campaign, which begins Wednesday against Bayern Munich, but he denied that was the case.
Fofana started her first start since March, while Hato started for the first time in the league to constitute a defense made exclusively by centerbacks.
Buonanotte, not part of the European team, debuted despite not being in speed because Estevao was absent from the team. Reece James was benched after playing twice for England.
Maresca said it was planned that Fofana could only play 45 minutes while Hato’s playing time was also controlled. Chelsea’s head coach also revealed that Joao Pedro was not 100 percent, but said that if he saw in the Bayern match, he wouldn’t have started.
Maresca: We could manage Equalizer better
Chelsea Head coach Enzo Maresca told Sky Sports:
“We knew it was a hard game. In the first half we struggled to find solutions, the space because they defended very well. I think the second half was much better. It’s a shame because we admitted in the 93rd minute and we could do better that moment.
“You have to be able to avoid transitions and set pieces – they scored from transitions and set pieces. It’s something we deal with quite well during the game, but eventually we admit, and it’s a shame.”
Andrews: Henderson is the ultimate competitor
Brentford Head coach Keith Andrews:
On long throws: “It’s not unique to this football club. I find it with the modern game, and maybe it has always been the way the best teams do it is accepted.
“It has been a widespread part of what this club has been doing for several years. I was obviously in a different role last year when we caused a lot of chaos from such situations.”
At Jordan Henderson: “Jordan has been brought in to provide experience and quality and leadership. I think what you’ve seen tonight is Jordan. He’s enjoying the competition.
“He enjoys the battle. People will continue about the passport for the goal. It doesn’t surprise me with the type of precision he has, the conscious way he plays passport, whether it is the type of pass or crossing that you have seen in Liverpool for many, many years into half the room.
“He’s an ultimate competitor. I thought he was excellent.”
Carvalho: We work a lot on set pieces
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Fabio Carvalho responds to his late equalization to get a point against Chelsea after coming from the bench.
Brentford Goal scorer Fabio Carvalho told Sky Sports:
“Brentford is big on set pieces and it’s good to put it into practice. It’s not as easy as it looks [to find space] But hopefully I can do it again. We do a lot of analysis from the field with video and use it.
“Keith (Andrews) also sits with the staff and the team is on board. We have enough quality to do well this season.
“I am sure we will be in order – we have lost players but have added a lot of quality, and as long as we stay together, we are well. When we first get speed we will be good.”