Nicolas Jackson’s expertly-placed header from a wonderful Malo Gusto cross had given the Blues a deserved advantage at the interval. But Brentford responded five minutes into the second period when Mads Roerslev struck from close range.

The Bees soon established a lead through an acrobatic goal from Yoane Wissa and despite causing the home side problems, it appeared as though Chelsea would be left frustrated.

However, a short corner paid dividends as Cole Palmer was given time to deliver a cross and Disasi powered a header home at the back post.

Late pressure followed and Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken had to be alert to deny Raheem Sterling and ensure the points were shared between the two sides.

An open start

Mauricio Pochettino made five changes to his Chelsea side. Djordje Petrovic, Levi Colwill, Ben Chilwell, Conor Gallagher and Palmer were all restored to the starting XI.

It was a scrappy start in west London, albeit there were chances for both teams.

Our first came after clever play from Palmer, who broke away down the tight channel before cutting the ball back to Enzo Fernandez. The Argentine’s miscued effort was cleared behind for a corner.

The Blues worked a dangerous opening from the resulting set-piece as the ball was whipped onto the head of Disasi. However, on this occasion, his header ended on the roof of the net.

At the other end, a deep Brentford cross managed to find Ivan Toney at the back post, but Colwill was on hand to make an important interception.

Getting in front

Jackson started to cause the Brentford backline problems as the half progressed and he was presented with a good chance to open the scoring after being put through on goal by Gallagher.

The forward rounded Flekken in the Brentford goal, only for defender Zanka to recover and hack the ball away from off the line.

But Jackson made amends soon after to break the deadlock. Palmer found Gusto out wide on the right, and he produced a world-class cross. Jackson met it perfectly and Flekken could only watch the ball flash by and into the Brentford net.

That was the Senegalese's eighth goal of the Premier League campaign. A ninth almost arrived moments later.

Jackson broke free down the left of the penalty area and fired toward goal, but Flekken saved well from his low-drilled shot. It meant the Blues had to settle for a one-goal lead at the break.

A second-half blow

Chelsea had barely settled into the second period when Brentford pulled level. A cross into the Blues' penalty area was not dealt with and the ball fell perfectly for the onrushing Roerslev, who slammed the ball beyond Petrovic.

The goal gave Brentford a lift and Chelsea were very nearly punished again only minutes later. Vitaly Janelt’s effort from the edge of the box thankfully bounced back off the post.

Falling behind

The Blues missed a glorious opportunity to retake the lead right on the hour mark. A lightning counter-attack saw Gusto charge down the right wing and numerous Blue shirts queued up to his left.

Gusto found a cross that reached Palmer but the England international failed to hit the target, with his effort rolling wide of the Brentford post.

In response, Wissa went close for the hosts, however, his header at the back post failed to trouble Petrovic. It was a temporary reprieve.

From their next attack, Brentford broke down the left wing and Sergio Reguilon’s cross was only half-cleared. The ball fell invitingly for Wissa who produced a stunning scissor kick to put the hosts ahead.

Fighting back

Brentford nearly wrapped things up when Reguilon outjumped Gutso at the back post. His header had Petrovic beaten but the ball came back off the post.

Pochettino introduced Raheem Sterling in response, with Colwill making way. The change soon paid off. Sterling won a corner that nearly gifted Gallagher a chance to draw level, before Pamer forced a good save from distance.

The equaliser then followed. Palmer’s cross found Disasi at the back post and he planted his header firmly into the Brentford net.

There was still time for Sterling and Palmer to go close during a frantic end to the contest. But five minutes of injury time brought no further opportunities, which meant we had to settle for a point.

What is next

We now have a nine-day break before returning to action, when we welcome Newcastle United to Stamford Bridge for a Premier League clash on Monday 11 March.

The Teams

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Petrovic, Gusto, Disasi, Chalobah, Colwill (Sterling); Caicedo, Fernandez (Mudryk); Chilwell (C), Gallagher, Palmer; Jackson.
Unused subs: Sanchez, Cucurella, Silva, Madueke, Casadei, Gilchrist, Tauriainen.
Scorers: Jackson 35', Disasi 83
Booked: Gallagher

Brentford (3-5-2): Flekken, Zanka, Ajer, Collins; Roerslev, Onyeka (Jensen), Norgaard (C), Janelt (Yarmolyuk), Reguilon; Toney, Wissa (Maupay)
Unused subs: Ghoddos, Strakosha, Lewis-Potter, Damsgaard, Baptiste, Ji-soo.
Scorers: Roerslev 50', Wissa 69'
Booked: Janelt, Zanka, Oneyka

Referee: Jarred Gillett

Attendance: 17,140