Brentford exposed Chelsea’s defensive problems to inflict a damaging 3-0 defeat on Friday that gives Xabi Alonso plenty to ponder over a three-week international break.
Alonso got his wish during a flat first half in which neither goalkeeper was seriously tested, but Brentford were the more threatening side in the second period.
Alonso said after last weekend’s 2-2 draw against Hull he was hoping for more “boring” games going forward.
But even after the Argentine goalkeeper spread himself to save, the rebound fell kindly for Thiago to end his goal drought. Thiago has looked shorn in the early weeks of the campaign and tore off his shirt in celebration after netting for the first time in the Premier League this season. The Brazilian netted 25 times last season, earning a shock call-up to Carlo Ancelotti’s World Cup squad as a result.
After a promising start to life under the former Real Madrid coach, Chelsea have picked up just one point from their last three league games.
Chelsea had quickly earned the reputation as the Premier League’s great entertainers under Alonso with their opening four games containing 19 goals. Goals from Jaidon Anthony, Igor Thiago and Fabio Carvalho took unbeaten Brentford above their west London neighbours and up to third in the table.
