Chelsea 2-0 Brentford: Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer capitalise on defensive lapses to give Liam Rosenior league win

Chelsea leapfrogged Brentford following a 2-0 victory over their London rivals thanks to goals from Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer.

New boss Liam Rosenior also celebrated his first Premier League victory in charge of the Blues as they came out winners in a feisty derby clash.

Brentford, who didn't play in midweek, looked dangerous early on, with Kevin Schade squandering a glorious chance from five yards out.

The Bees were then punished for failing to clear their lines, resulting in a 26th minute opener. Enzo Fernandez deflected a clearance into the path of Joao Pedro, who rifled the ball home. Despite the offside flag going up, VAR ruled in his favour.

Brentford deserved a goal for their first half efforts, but Mathias Jensen saw his effort clip the post when well-placed inside the box.

Schade could have levelled the tie early in the second half, but was denied by the leg of goalkeeper Robert Sanchez after running clear into the box.

Meanwhile, Brentford were the makers of their own downfall at the opposite end, resulting in a second Chelsea goal.

Nathan Collins’ back-pass to his goalkeeper was intercepted by substitute Liam Delap, before goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher took down the Chelsea forward.

Palmer stepped up and swept home the resulting penalty to secure the three points.

Rosenior will have his first taste of UEFA Champions League football on Wednesday when his side host Pafos.

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A game which lacked quality at times was brought to lift by Joao Pedro’s first half strike. The Brazilian almost broke the Stamford Bridge net with the power of his effort.

Liam Rosenior will be delighted with the professional display from his Chelsea side as they move up to sixth in the Premier League and leapfrog Brentford.

The Blues now sit just two points behind fourth placed Liverpool following their 1-1 draw with Burnley this afternoon.

Fofana puts his body on the line again to deny Jensen and blocks his shot away for a corner. From the resulting play Hickey finds space to curl his effort just wide of the Chelsea post.

Donovan comes on for Yarmolyuk. He has three minutes to make an impact.

The referee has had enough of Palmer. He goes to his notebook for something the home forward has said.

The Bees have been given an unlikely boost by seven additional minutes. A strangely large amount of added time.

Brentford have been guilty of not taking their chances this afternoon. However, Chelsea have been equally good in defence and stood up to the physical test of their London rivals.

Hato comes on for Fernandez who has a knock; Acheampong is on for James

The penalty area has been a warzone from set-pieces this afternoon. Pushing from a throw-in results in Fofana being booked for dissent.

Lewis-Potter on for Schade; Henry replaced by Hickey

Brentford are fighting for a way back into this game. However, they lack the clinical edge in the final third.

Keith Andrews makes an immediate decision as Damsgaard comes off for Ouattara. Moments later Neto has an effort blocked for the hosts.

Brentford are the makers of their own downfall. Collins with a back-pass which is rifled at the goalkeeper. Kelleher fails to control and substitute Delap is behind him. Delap came on for Joao Pedro minutes earlier.

Palmer steps up and slots home the resulting penalty.

It’s another glorious Brentford opportunity. There is pushing and shenanigans in the build-up to the corner as several players falls to the floor.

Eventually the set-piece is taken and Thiago is stretching for the ball but sends his free header wide.

Collins is furious for the way Santos went down and leans down to tell him so. The shouting causes some pushing from both sides as tempers boil over.

The Chelsea defender takes down Schade in a further counter-attack and is deservedly booked. Those two have been in the wars throughout this encounter.