The Blues were on top for much of the first half and even had the ball in the back of the net midway through, as Romelu Lukaku turned in Timo Werner’s low cross at the end of a quick counter, just seconds after Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo had hit the post from close range, but the linesman raised his flag to rule out the Belgian’s strike for offside.
We did make our dominance count right on the stroke of half-time, though, and it was that man Chilwell again who continued his streak of goals by firing an excellent half-volley into the top corner, adding to his strike for us last time out against Southampton and the one he got for England during the international break.
However, after the half-time break, Brentford started to come into the game as they pushed for an equaliser on home soil and, despite Lukaku sending a good chance over the bar, it was the Bees who had the best opportunities of the second half, especially during a late spell of heavy pressure.
Thankfully, the back three of Trevoh Chalobah, Andreas Christensen and debutant Malang Sarr stood strong through a barrage of corners and long throws into the box, Chalobah clearing one off the line, and on the few occasions Brentford got through, Mbeumo hit the post again and Mendy produced a series of good saves, the highlight coming in injury time as he tipped a spectacular bycicle kick over the crossbar.