Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Questions were being asked of Chelsea’s new set-piece coach, Austin MacPhee, after the Blues were heavily beaten by Brentford in the Premier League.
Chelsea created very little in front of goal, however were presented plenty of opportunities to threaten with corners and set-pieces.
The Blues had 12 corners in the game, but didn’t create a single chance from any of them, while their close-range free-kicks also went wasted.
Arsenal FC v Chelsea FC - Premier League 2026/27
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Austin MacPhee was fuming with Pedro Neto during Chelsea’s defeat to Brentford
Every time one of these opportunities disappeared, the TV cameras would cut to MacPhee, who cut a frustrated figure on the sidelines throughout the game.
He was at his most disappointed when a Pedro Neto free-kick sailed into the arms of the Brentford goalkeeper, evading the defenders who had gone up to try and attack the dead ball.
MacPhee couldn’t hide his frustration at the situation, standing there with his hands out wide for a number of seconds as if to ask Neto what he was thinking.
Aston Villa fans were gutted to lose MacPhee when he decided to join up with Xabi Alonso’s coaching staff, replacing Bernardo Cueva in the role.
Think Brentford were excellent but even still, games like this always seemed like a possibility due to the style of play and quality of the side. When it clicks, dynamite, but there’s going to be a fair few games where this happens across the season
100%. Seems to be going under the radar that three of our best players didn’t feature either. Take them out of any side and they weaken significantly
Cueva was on the end of plenty of criticism during his time at the club, but the continuation of the problems in both attack and defence raise questions about the players, rather than the coaches.
Chelsea conceded again from a corner when Jaidon Anthony opened the scoring in the second half. Half of the goals they have let in this season have come directly from set-pieces.
The international break will provide MacPhee the chance to spend some serious time evaluating where the Blues have gone wrong at both ends of the pitch so far this season.
Chelsea fans will be hoping that some set-piece routines emerge which do not rely on corners being taken short, which dominated last night’s match.