On the face of things, Chelsea secured a 2-0 win over Brentford. A first Premier League win in over a month and a first clean sheet since beating Everton by the same scoreline on December 13.
At this stage of Rosenior’s Chelsea spell, it is all about results. If the new manager is to be given the time and space to instill his philosophies and principles, he must earn himself some time with instant wins.
He’s done that. He watched his Chelsea side dismantle Charlton and avoid a banana skin, keeping Chelsea in the Carabao Cup tie ahead of their semi-final tie against Arsenal. But now a win on Saturday afternoon.
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Chelsea 2-0 Brentford graphic with Cole Palmer
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Rosenior watched his side climb into sixth in the Premier League table as Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer scored their first goals for the club under Rosenior. Scratch beneath the surface, and it’s a different story.
Craig Burley left stunned by Chelsea’s display against Brentford
Palmer went straight down the tunnel at full-time, and that probably explains the situation. Chelsea were poor on Saturday, and on another day, they could have easily lost by two or three to Keith Andrews’ side.
Chelsea's English head coach Liam Rosenior applauds the fans
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Luckily for Chelsea and Rosenior, Brentford were guilty of two mistakes in possession at the back. On ESPN FC, former Chelsea star Burley went on a rant about Brentford were much the better side yesterday.
“It was two mistakes. If you watch this game – I’m intrigued to know what Rosenior says about it – Chelsea got battered, outplayed, for the bulk of this game. They had their moments,” Burley said after full-time.
“But if you looked at these two sides and consider that one of them lost three or four top players in the summer and the other has spent millions, you’d have thought Chelsea had lost the players.
“And, that Brentford had spent the millions. This sounds strange because they lost. What does Liam Rosenior take from this game? He takes three points and runs,” former Chelsea man Burley continued.
Joao Pedro grabs his seventh Premier League goal of the season against Brentford! ⚽️
Joao Pedro's 2025/26 Premier League stats
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Chelsea don’t beat Brentford under Enzo Maresca…
On any other day, Chelsea concede. Robert Sanchez had a howler against Arsenal, but against Brentford, his save to deny Kevin Schade was majestic. Chelsea rode their luck and Brentford missed huge chances.
But what is clear is that both of Chelsea’s goals came from high pressing and incessant running up top without the ball. Chelsea’s first comes through Enzo Fernandez winning the ball back twice high up.
The second, Liam Delap reads the situation and capitalises on a poor mistake from Caoimhin Kelleher to win a penalty. A high press and intensity that Rosenior became famed for during his time at Strasbourg.
It is something that has been noticeable in Rosenior’s first games, certainly against Charlton. Chelsea scored twice because of Rosenior’s tactics and therefore won, but under Maresca, they might not have.
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