MATCH REPORT: BRENTFORD 0-1 CHELSEA

Photo credit: Toby Melville (Reuters)

Chelsea returned to the top of the table with a narrow 1-0 win at the Brentford Community Stadium.

A stunning strike from Ben Chilwell right on the stroke of half-time made the difference as the Blues continue their impressive start to the season.

Thomas Tuchel’s side sit a point ahead of Liverpool at the league’s summit, having conceded only three goals in their opening eight matches.

Coming up against plucky newly promoted opposition, Chelsea were the stronger side in the first half, dominating possession and posing the greater attacking threat.

However, it was the Bees who carved out the game’s first big chance when attacker Bryan Mbeumo struck the post with a close-range shot.

The visitors made their dominance pay on 45 minutes when Chilwell hit a half-volley from the edge of the area that rifled into the back of David Raya’s net.

Brentford upped their intensity in the second half and their two-pronged attack of Mbeumo and Ivan Toney caused Chelsea’s steely defence a lot of issues.

Mbeumo hit the post for a second time on 74 minutes before a string of outstanding point-blank saves from Edouard Mendy ensured his side made it over the line.

Thomas Frank’s side will feel aggrieved at being left with nothing after a magnificent second-half display.

Meanwhile, the ruthless opening to the season from the Champions League holders rolls on as they record their sixth win of the campaign so far.