Chelsea moved within touching distance of Premier League leaders Liverpool with a narrow victory over Brentford at Stamford Bridge.
Enzo Maresca’s side now sit second in the table two points behind the Reds, who have the advantage of having played a game less.
However, Chelsea’s seventh consecutive win in all competitions will only serve to underline their status as genuine title contenders.
Marc Cucurella’s first-half header set them on their way against Brentford, with the left-back stealing in to nod in from Noni Madueke’s curling delivery from the right wing.
However, the Spaniard was later shown a second yellow card after the final whistle after appearing to shove Kevin Schade, to sour an evening when he ought to have just been celebrating his first goal since May 2022.
Chelsea’s second came in the closing stages when centre forward Nicolas Jackson sprinted on to Enzo Fernandez’s pass to dispatch a low shot past Bees goalkeeper Mark Flekken into the right corner.
The Senegal international’s effort came as Thomas Frank’s side threatened to level in a match which the hosts had largely dominated.
Christian Norgaard’s volley was superbly saved by home goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, while Fabio Carvalho was unable to convert a gilt-edged opportunity – rattling the Chelsea crossbar, from close range.
The hosts were still made to hold on in a nervy finale after Bryan Mbeumo registered his 10th top-flight goal of the season, with a well-placed finish past Sanchez.
Jackson makes decisive contribution
In the pre-match build-up, much had been made of the timing of this kick-off following Chelsea’s trip to Kazakhstan in their Uefa Conference League on Thursday.
However, Tosin Adarabioyo was the only Chelsea player to start both matches, with Maresca enjoying the luxury of being able to make wholesale changes to the youthful side that won at Astana.
And a Chelsea team with a much more familiar feel to it fashioned 15 efforts on goal in the first half alone as they attempted to put the game beyond a Brentford side who had won the corresponding fixture in each of the previous three years.
Jackson had a left-foot volley expertly repelled by Flekken, while the likes of Fernandez, Cole Palmer and Madueke also tested the Netherlands international.
The second half followed a similar pattern with Jackson guilty of a glaring miss and Flekken tipping another to safety.
At times it felt like Jackson was on a personal crusade to beat the Brentford custodian, with his seven efforts the joint-highest total for a Chelsea player in the league this season.
The former Villarreal forward’s numbers around shot accuracy and conversion rates have all been trending in an upwards direction during 2024-25 and his ninth goal of what is quickly turning into a prolific campaign ultimately proved decisive.
