Nicolas Jackson opened the scoring with an impressive header before Brentford equalised early in the second half through Mads Roerslev and then took the lead via an acrobatic effort from Yoane Wissa.

However, a late Axel Disasi header ensured the points were shared in west London with the match ending 2-2.

Speaking after the game, Pochettino was content with his side’s display in the first half, but was frustrated with how Brentford were allowed to fight their way back into the Premier League contest.

'We showed full control in the first half,’ he explained. ‘We created many chances and I think we played very well.

‘Of course, we didn’t start well in the second half and we allowed them to take the lead. We conceded some crosses and it was tough because the game was really open, too many transitions and they made it 1-1.

‘We must defend better, of course, at a very difficult place to come. But we’ve had a tough three games in six days, and I think the effort was massive. It was hard to keep the energy in the second half. I think that was the key to the game.

‘They played more direct. We were not consistent at this moment. We conceded and that changed the game, their belief increased. In the end, of course, we wanted all three points, but we are disappointed a little bit in the way we conceded and because the team made the effort to get all three.’

The Blues head coach also spoke about his switch to a back three this afternoon with Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill, and Disasi flanked by Ben Chilwell and Malo Gusto.

‘It was to provide the team a different way to play,’ he added. ‘We needed to provide the midfield the possibility not to cover too much distance. I think Enzo, Caicedo and Gallagher had to start but were really, really tired.

‘I wanted to provide the team with a different way to play for different circumstances. I think we needed more consistency and to be more solid. After playing the final on Sunday and the game on Wednesday, they were two tough games and we needed to be more solid, that is why we picked that system.

‘A player like (Romeo) Lavia is supposed to challenge Moises (Caicedo), but they are injured and we don’t have the possibility to refresh in a key area. That is why we needed to help them to try with another centre-back.’