Brentford players celebrate after the Premier League soccer match between Brentford and Chelsea in London, England, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)
September 18, 2026 - 2:44 PM
LONDON (AP) — Brentford climbed to third in the Premier League after a crushing 3-0 win over London rival Chelsea on Friday.
It was a puzzling display by Xabi Alonso's Chelsea side, which has now gone three league games without a win.
Jaidon Anthony, Igor Thiago and Fabio Carvalho all scored in the second half for Brentford.
This was a Chelsea line-up containing all the elements of its offseason transfer re-think, with a solid, experienced spine which saw Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck make their first league starts.
Something appeared to have clicked. The visitors did not look half as chaotic defensively in the first half as they have done at times this season, standing up physically to Brentford, winning duels and not allowing Keith Andrews’ side to dominate second balls.
But old habits crept back in after the break. The marking from Mikkel Damsgaard’s 61st-minute corner was poor, Jannik Schuster headed on and Anthony finished it off.
Thiago was then left free to score after Kevin Schade’s shot was saved, and a low cross was whacked in during stoppage time by Carvalho to send Brentford fans into dreamland.
News from © The Associated Press, 2026