Brentford 0-0 Chelsea: Kepa continues fine form to ensure Blues avoid derby defeat
Chelsea sealed a point and kept yet another clean sheet as they drew 0-0 against west London rivals Brentford.
The Bees were the better side overall in the first half, with Graham Potter making more rotational changes to the starting XI.
Kepa Arrizabalaga did well to deny Ivan Toney from close range on two occasions in the opening 45 minutes, with Armando Broja being the player who came closest to scoring for Chelsea.
It was much of the same in the second half, with the hosts continuing to be the side that look closest to scoring.
Advert
Changes from Chelsea saw them improve in their performance, but they ultimately couldn't find a winner.
The result sees them remain fourth in the Premier League table, with fifth placed Manchester United being their next opponents at the weekend.
Head coach Potter opted to make changes to the side once again, especially given how busy their schedule is over the next few weeks.
Broja made his first Premier League start for the Blues, with Conor Gallagher also coming into the side.
Early on, Brentford were the first side to launch a real attack, with Marc Cucurella having to put his foot in for Chelsea.
Kepa has been in fine form for the Blues in recent weeks and was called in action in the opening stages of the match, with the Spaniard looking to keep yet another clean sheet.
Toney was the first to test him in goal, but the 'keeper was on hand hand to tip the striker's header over the bar.
Brentford soon called for a penalty after Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Bryan Mbeumo came together on the edge of the box, but referee Jarred Gillett waved away the protests.
The Blues were forced into an early change as Gallagher went off injured, with Mateo Kovacic coming on to replace him.
After the opening stages of the game, in which the hosts dominated the ball, both sides both began to enjoy their fair share of possession.
Broja came close to heading in from a right-sided cross, but the striker was inches away from getting contact onto the ball.
Kepa had to pull of another top save to deny Toney from close range once again just after the half hour mark, with his efforts keeping the visitors in the game.
Down the other end of the pitch, Cesar Azpilicueta forced David Raya into a strong save from his effort outside the area.
Broja had a great chance once again to give Chelsea the lead but he opted to go for goal himself rather than squaring it to Mason Mount who was running into the area in space.
The Blues' defence were still kept busy as the game approached half-time as Brentford piled on the pressure, but Potter's men did well to hold them off.
Kai Havertz called for a penalty in stoppage time after Ben Mee appeared to have a hold of his shirt, but nothing was given.
The score remained level at the break, with Brentford looking the better side overall.
No substitutions were made at the beginning of the second half from either side as both west London clubs seeked the opening goal of the game.
Bryan Mbeumo had a great chance to give Brentford the lead as he was unmarked inside the area, but his header was straight at Kepa.
Chelsea's first changes of the second half saw a trio of Christian Pulisic, Carney Chukwuemeka and Raheem Sterling all come on for Cucurella, Mount and Broja.
Pulisic nearly made an instant impact as his pass found Havertz in the area, but Raya was on hand to save the effort from the German.
Mbeumo then tried to beat Kepa with an audacious effort from range as the goalkeeper was off his line, but the Spaniard wasn't troubled by the lob.
A cross from the right from Loftus-Cheek went just over the head of Havertz as Chelsea pushed forward to find an opener in the final 20 minutes.
With one final change, Potter opted to bring on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for Havertz for the final ten minutes.
Kepa, once again, did really well to deny Brentford from close range as both sides pushed for a late winner.
Aubameyang soon saw an effort near the edge of the box saved down low by Raya.
Both teams were pushing for a goal late on into the match, which produced an almost end to end finale to the game.
Potter's Blues continued to drive forward in stoppage time as they searched a six consecutive win.
Chukwuemeka was denied by Raya from a tight angle in the dying seconds of the match, with the youngster coming close to his first Chelsea goal.
The full-time whistle was soon blown, with the Blues ensuring they remain unbeaten under Potter.
Topics: Chelsea, Brentford, Premier League, Football
Robert Calcutt