Liam Rosenior's first Premier League game in charge of Chelsea ended victoriously as his side held on to beat Brentford 2-0 at Stamford Bridge.
A vicious strike from Joao Pedro and a penalty from Cole Palmer was enough to separate the two teams, but Keith Andrews' men will be left wondering how they squandered the number of chances they created to take something from the game.
Chelsea fans had protested the club's board before the game, but the result left those in blue smiling as their new head coach made the ideal start to his Premier League tenure.
Team news:
Reece James and Cole Palmer returned to the starting line-up for Chelsea. Alejandro Garnacho was also named in the XI after his Carabao Cup double vs Arsenal
Brentford made eight changes to the side who progressed in the FA Cup, with Igor Thiago returning up top
Chelsea fans protesting the Chelsea sporting directorship ahead of the Premier League match at Stamford Bridge, London. Picture date: Saturday January 17, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire...RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.
Image: Chelsea fans protested the club's ownership ahead of kick-off
The visitors started the better of the two sides, and would've been ahead via a Tosin Adarabioyo own goal had it not been for a remarkable save from Robert Sanchez to keep the ball out.
Just minutes later came the first Premier League goal of Rosenior's reign. After multiple moves breaking down on the edge of the Brentford box, Chelsea finally found some luck as the ball deflected into the path of Joao Pedro, who smashed his effort into the roof of the net.
The goal was initially ruled out for offside, only for VAR to overturn the decision, with Chelsea beginning to succumb to Brentford pressure.
The goal opened up the game, with both sides spurning glorious opportunities after. Mathias Jensen watched his volley from inside the area bounce off the woodwork, while Alejandro Garnacho somehow missed with the goal gaping from within the six-yard box soon after.
Alejandro Garnacho missed a glorious chance to double Chelsea's lead
Image: Alejandro Garnacho missed a glorious chance to double Chelsea's lead
Sanchez continued to silence his critics as he kept out Kevin Schade with a brilliant save with his feet early in the second half, before Igor Thiago watched his header whistle agonisingly wide.
Brentford were made to rue their missed chances as Nathan Collins left Caoimhin Kelleher in trouble with an awful back pass, which saw Liam Delap nip in after a poor touch from the goalkeeper to win a penalty, which was coolly tucked away by the returning Palmer.
Cole Palmer celebrates his goal with team-mates
Image: Cole Palmer celebrates his goal with team-mates after scoring Chelsea's second
The result means that Chelsea leapfrog Brentford in the Premier League table, moving up to sixth as the Bees drop down to seventh.
Player ratings:
Chelsea: Sanchez (9), James (8), Chalobah (7), Tosin (7), Cucurella (6); Caicedo (6), Fernandez (7); Neto (6), Palmer (7), Garnacho (8); Joao Pedro (8).
Subs: Santos (6), Fofana (6), Delap (7), Hato (5), Acheampong (5).
Brentford: Kelleher (4); Kayode (5), Ajer (6), Collins (4), Henry (6); Jensen (7), Yarmoliuk (6), Janelt (7); Damsgaard (7), Thiago (6), Schade (8).
Subs: Ouattara (5), Hickey (6), Lewis-Potter (5), Donovan (N/A).
Player of the Match: Robert Sanchez.
More to follow.
Story of the match in stats...
What's coming up in the Premier League?