Chelsea moved to inside two factors of the Premier League summit as Marc Cucurella continued his outstanding ascent to attain in a 2-1 win towards Brentford at Stamford Bridge.

The defender was seemingly an emblem of Chelsea’s botched recruitment for a lot of his first two seasons after shifting from Brighton, however like his team-mates this season he has been rejuvenated as Enzo Maresca watched his aspect with out query insert themselves into the title race.

The pinnacle coach has repeatedly insisted his younger squad should not able to problem however this was their fifth league victory in a row and, regardless of Fabio Carvalho putting the bar at 1-0 after Cucurella’s opener and Bryan Mbeumo jangling nerves with a objective in the beginning of seven added minutes, it was as commanding a one-goal win as might be hoped for.

Nicolas Jackson, one other participant as soon as pilloried however whose title rang out across the floor, had earlier netted Chelsea’s essential second objective 10 minutes from time.

Nevertheless, the loudest cheers have been reserved for Cucurella. The Spain worldwide has all the time been an brisk participant however since getting back from his nation’s victorious Euro 2024 marketing campaign – the place he performed a key position – there was new function to his play, urgent with a eager consciousness of area and making attacking runs which have stretched defences.

His night was sullied considerably by a crimson card acquired after the ultimate while, a second yellow card proven for a shove on Kevin Schade which can deliver a suspension nevertheless it had however been a defining show.

Chelsea managed issues from the off. Goalkeeper Mark Flekken threw up two sturdy palms to beat away Jackson’s near-post drive, one of the best likelihood of a gap quarter-hour the hosts dominated. Cole Palmer shot straight on the goalkeeper then Enzo Fernandez was denied by Flekken’s legs as Chelsea chipped away and Brentford clung on.

Levi Colwill flung himself on the toes of Mikkel Damsgaard, denying the midfielder a transparent strike on objective on the finish of a uncommon Brentford break.

The guests’ focus was being examined. Flekken let his slip briefly with a stray cross that was intercepted by Noni Madueke, the winger driving straight at objective and hitting a shot that deflected behind off the goalkeeper’s leg.

Cucurella may make a robust case for being probably the most improved Chelsea participant below Maresca. Right here, he was requested by the pinnacle coach to step into midfield when the staff have been in possession and make runs into the field on the frequent events the ball was labored broad. Minutes earlier than half-time, the manoeuvre paid off.

The ball was moved by way of Malo Gusto broad to the appropriate, from the place Madueke swung over an inviting cross. Neither Sepp van den Berg nor Mads Roerslev received correctly off the bottom and in between them flew Cucurella, launching into the air to information a agency, managed header into the nook.

Jackson was responsible of an outrageous miss on the hour, maybe too nonchalant as he swung at Jadon Sancho’s cutback and despatched the ball crusing over the bar with the objective gaping.

Robert Sanchez made a outstanding one-handed save to push Christian Norgaard’s volley over the bar as Brentford loved a spell of strain. They must have equalised when Carvalho slid in and and turned the ball solidly towards the underside of the crossbar.

Chelsea survived and within the eightieth minute went additional forward by way of Jackson, given the entire of the Brentford half to run into earlier than lashing contained in the close to submit.

Mbeumo’s objective, completed low previous Sanchez, arrange a nervous end however resolutely Chelsea held on.