It was a game of two halves in west London with the Bees strong in the first period before the visitors grew stronger and ended the contest in the ascendancy, pushing for a late winner but unable to carve out that crucial clear-cut chance.

The two Spanish goalkeepers excelled, making 10 saves between them and both recording another successful shutout. For Kepa Arrizalabaga, that made it five clean sheets in a row in all competitions, our longest run since a seven-game stretch from February to March 2021, and almost nine hours without a goal conceded.

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Growing into it

Chelsea’s attacking sharpened as the game wore, particularly following the early introduction of Mateo Kovacic for Conor Gallagher after 15 minutes as the latter had complained of feeling sick. The Croatian finished the game with the most shots (three) and most chances created (four) for the Blues.

It was Brentford who edged the shots on target count before the break (two to one), with the visitors registering four more in the second period. Raya kept us out on each occasion, most notably denying Christian Pulisic late on, while six Chelsea shots blocked indicated how dogged and committed the home side’s defending proved to be.

In fact, Potter’s men managed more shots on target after the 85th minute (three) than they did in the first 85 minutes of the match (two).

Ruben on the right

Almost half of our attacking play was directed down the right, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek operating as wing-back in Potter’s fluid 3-4-2-1 system. The 26-year-old had more touches than all but three other players in the game and regularly ventured forward to probe in the final third.

In the defensive phase, he won more aerial duels than any team-mate and utilised his imposing physique to protect the ball on numerous occasions in the face of Brentford’s intense pressure.

Impact from the bench

Kovacic’s impact off the bench has already been noted but it was another substitute, Pulisic, who looked most likely to unlock Brentford’s stubborn resilience in the dying stages.

The USA international came on for the final half hour and forced one strong save from Raya with a swerving drive, as well as a brilliant last-ditch block by Rico Henry. Between them, Pulisic and Kovacic accounted for half of our key passes made in the game (seven of 14).

Carney Chukwuemeka’s cameo was also a positive one, with the teenager driving forward from a central attacking position and causing problems to the Bees backline.

With five Chelsea Academy graduates in the starting 11, the midfielder’s introduction meant the average age of those involved for the visitors came in just under 26 years.

On another night, Potter’s changes might have been game-changers but in the end a point apiece seemed a fair result.