Graham Potter keeps his unbeaten streak alive with a thrilling draw
Chelsea’s unbeaten run continued under Graham Potter, but they had to settle for a point after a goalless derby at Brentford.
The Blues made the short journey across west London on the back of five consecutive victories in all competitions, including four straight without conceding.
They kept a clean sheet once more, but there was a noticeable lack of cutting edge up front as they drew a blank against the Bees.
England manager Gareth Southgate also had another injury scare when midfielder Conor Gallagher limped off early in the game.
Blues manager Potter made five changes from the team that defeated Aston Villa 2-0, with Raheem Sterling and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang dropping to the bench, but he was forced to make another when Gallagher hobbled off.
Ivan Toney, another England World Cup hopeful, had a header from Mads Roerslev’s cross tipped over the crossbar by Kepa Arrizabalaga moments earlier.
Chelsea had a let-off with 10 minutes left in the first half when Ruben Loftus-back-header Cheek’s from a free-kick allowed Toney in.
The striker beat Kepa to the ball but was unable to direct his header on goal.
Chelsea came closest to scoring in a low-key first half with Cesar Azpilicueta’s angled drive that Bees keeper David Raya tipped around the far post.
The Blues wanted a penalty for a Rico Henry handball and another when Kai Havertz fell under Ben Mee’s pressure, but they didn’t get either.
Brentford should have gone ahead five minutes into the second half when Bryan Mbeumo had a free header in front of goal from another Roerslev cross, but the Cameroon forward headed straight at Kepa.
Mbeumo found Toney at the near post from a corner, but his glancing header went wide.
On the hour, Potter made a triple substitution, but Aubameyang was still missing, with teenager Carney Chukwuemeka joining Sterling and Christian Pulisic.
But it was Brentford who came closest to taking all three points when Henry’s shot hit the side netting.
With 10 minutes remaining, Aubameyang was finally sent on, but his only half-chance was a low drive from outside the area, which Raya easily collected.
Raya, the Spanish goalkeeper, also saved with his feet from Pulisic’s swerving drive in stoppage time to preserve a deserved point for the hosts.
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