LIAM ROSENIOR earned his first Premier League victory at the first time of asking as Chelsea battled their way to a 2-0 victory over Brentford.
The Blues came out on top at Stamford Bridge thanks to a first half Joao Pedro goal and a second half Cole Palmer penalty.
Pedro, 24, smacked home the game’s opening goal after just 25 minutes – finding the roof of Caoimhim Kelleher’s goal with a thunderous strike.
The home side doubled their lead from the spot in the second half after Kelleher left a loose leg out to trip Liam Delap in the box, giving referee John Brooks no choice but to award a penalty.
The victory isn’t just a confidence booster for Rosenior and his players, but also sees them leapfrog Keith Andrews‘ overachieving Bees in the table.
Here’s how SunSport’s Jack Rosser rated each individual Chelsea performance…
ROBERT SANCHEZ – 8
The Blues keeper is taking baby steps when it comes to playing the way Liam Rosenior wants him to, but this was a solid showing after his Arsenal horror show.
Rosenior applauded Sanchez for the way he played with the ball at his feet but the keeper also made some big stops – including a fine one to deny Kevin Schade on the break early in the second half.
REECE JAMES – 7
Returning from injury James put in a performance that will fill his new manager with confidence.
The Blues skipper looked assured throughout and was rarely troubled by Brentford‘s left flank, lasting almost the full 90 minutes – something which used to be a big achievement in itself for James.
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TREVOH CHALOBAH – 7
A solid enough display from the Blues academy graduate.
Was fortunate when rounded by Schade that his error wasn’t punished but assured for the most part and made some important blocks and interceptions.
TOSIN ADARABIOYO – 8
The hardest part of facing Brentford is dealing with their physicality and direct balls into the box, and Tosin dealt with both superbly.
Defended well against the huge figure of Igor Thiago and cleared consistently from the Chelsea box before being forced off in the 57th minute.
MARC CUCURELLA – 6
Not the most eventful of afternoons for the Spanish full-back, but played his part in a vital clean sheet – Chelsea’s first in more than a month.
Still got involved and played the pantomime villain, earning a shove from Schade.
MOISES CAICEDO – 7
Kept a handle on a rather messy midfield for the most part with some timely interventions when the Bees were trying to build a bit of pressure.
ENZO FERNANDEZ – 7
There aren’t many opposing fans who like the tenacious midfielder, but you can see why Chelsea supporters find it so easy to fall in love with the Argentine.
The midfielder was tireless in the first half, the only player in Blue looking to add some real pace and bite to their attacking play. Dug in throughout a tricky second half before being replaced late on.
PEDRO NETO – 6
Should have been rewarded with an assist for a sharp cross into the six yard box which Alejandro Garnacho managed to fumble wide.
Not a blockbuster afternoon from the winger but a reliable outing as always, slowly getting back to his form from earlier in the season.
COLE PALMER – 6
A good day for Palmer in the end, playing a full 90 minutes and scoring his first goal of the calendar year, a very smart penalty.
But it had been a frustrating performance until then, starting as a No10 before moving out to the right but having little influence in either position.
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 4
Dropped an absolute clanger when sending a tap-in from six-yards out wide of the post after a fine Neto cross.
The Argentine’s refusal to take on his full-back is a real frustration for Blues fans and means their left-flak lacked any real danger until he was hooked before the hour.
JOAO PEDRO – 7
Took a dive when played through well by Fernandez after 10 minutes when he could easily have stayed up and found the net.
But the Brazilian reacted well when the next chance quite literally fell his way, reacting quickly to a rebound off Fernandez and, this time, putting his foot through it.
SUBSTITUTES
ANDREY SANTOS (for Garnacho, 57min) – 6
The midfielder is tipped for a bright future under Rosenior having already played for the manager at Strasbourg.
Santos made a good impression after replacing Garnacho early in the second half, composed on the ball but also positive and looking to play forwards at pace.
Also showed a tough side when picking a fight with the far bigger Kristoffer Ajer.
WESLEY FOFANA (for Tosin, 58min) – 6
After Tosin had performed so well at the back, Rosenior would have been loath to change the partnership at the back.
But Fofana slotted in with ease and saw his side through.
LIAM DELAP (for Pedro, 74min) – 7
Another who has previously played under Rosenior – with Hull City in the Championship – and made an instant impact when coming on, winning a penalty within a minute.
