Chelsea Held to 2-2 Draw at Brentford – Palmer Saves the Day but Maresca Got It Wrong
Chelsea missed the chance to go top of the Premier League after a 2-2 draw with west London rivals Brentford.
Moises Caicedo and Cole Palmer were both on target, but it wasn’t enough to secure all three points. Palmer’s late equaliser spared Chelsea’s blushes after a poor first half display — with Jorrel Hato’s struggles at left-back standing out.
Many fans had called for the 19-year-old to start, but Enzo Maresca admitted he only ever planned to play him for part of the match:
“We planned not all of the game for Jorrel because he needs time to adapt.”
Maresca rotated heavily, resting Marc Cucurella and Malo Gusto, but the gamble didn’t pay off. Cucurella, fresh off an impressive international break with Spain, was badly missed as Chelsea once again failed to beat Brentford away — drawing here for the third straight season.
Palmer’s return from a groin injury was a positive, but Chelsea fans will feel this was two points dropped, especially with a huge Champions League clash against Bayern Munich up next.
Chelsea Held to 2-2 Draw at Brentford – Palmer Saves the Day but Maresca Got It Wrong
