Carvalho Strikes Late As Brentford Snatch Dramatic Point Against Chelsea

‎Chelsea’s hopes of going top of the Premier League table were dashed in stoppage time as Fábio Carvalho struck a 94th-minute equaliser to rescue Brentford a 2-2 draw at the Gtech Community Stadium.

‎Team News and Selection Dilemmas

‎This fixture came right after the international break, leaving Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca with difficult decisions. South American duo Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo started despite their midweek travels, but the side was missing key figures elsewhere.

‎Reece James, still regaining fitness, began on the bench alongside Marc Cucurella, while 17-year-old star Estêvão was absent through illness. Cole Palmer was also among the substitutes, a decision that left Chelsea short of ideas in a subdued first half.

‎Brentford Strike First

‎The opening 45 minutes saw very few clear chances, with both teams cautious in their build-up play.

‎Brentford, however, were the side to capitalise when Jordan Henderson slipped a perfectly weighted ball into the path of Kevin Schade. The winger cut inside Tosin Adarabioyo and unleashed a shot that deflected into the bottom corner to give the hosts the lead.

‎Chelsea pushed late in the half, coming closest when Fernández’s corner kick cannoned off the post, but Brentford went into the break ahead.

‎Maresca Turns to His Bench

‎The second half began with Brentford threatening to extend their advantage, but Chelsea grew into the game after Maresca introduced Reece James and Marc Cucurella. The visitors finally started to control possession and test Brentford’s defensive resolve.

‎Still, it wasn’t until the introduction of Cole Palmer that Chelsea found their cutting edge. The England international made an immediate impact, coolly finishing inside the area just minutes after coming on to level the score at 1-1.

‎Chelsea Look to Have Won It

‎The game suddenly opened up. Brentford’s Schade forced Robert Sánchez into an important save, while Palmer squandered a golden chance to give Chelsea the lead from Pedro Neto’s cutback.

‎Eventually, Chelsea thought they had completed the turnaround. On debut, Alejandro Garnacho drove aggressively down the flank before cutting the ball back into a crowded penalty area.

‎The clearance fell kindly to Caicedo, who steadied himself before firing a thunderous strike into the net.

‎At 2-1, and with only minutes remaining, Chelsea seemed on course for a statement win.

‎Carvalho’s Last-Gasp Heroics

‎Brentford refused to fold. Dango Ouattara drew another save from Sánchez as the hosts kept pushing, and in stoppage time their persistence was rewarded.

‎A long throw from Schade caused chaos in the box, and when the ball was flicked on at the near post, Fábio Carvalho ghosted in at the back post to stab home.

‎For Chelsea, the draw extends their unbeaten start under Maresca, but the missed opportunity to move to the top of the Premier League table will sting.

‎Attention now shifts to their high-stakes trip to Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League.