Enzo Maresca cut a somewhat vexed figure on the touchline as Chelsea endured a challenging first half against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium, with the Blues struggling through errant passes and a dearth of creativity. Something had to give, and at the interval, Maresca looked to his well-stocked bench and made impactful changes.
Marc Cucurella, Reece James, and Tyrique George were introduced, but the return of Cole Palmer from a groin injury particularly caught fans’ attention. A game-changer in every sense, Palmer was eager to make his mark after being sidelined for the previous two matches.
His introduction was nothing short of transformative. Just minutes onto the pitch, Palmer pounced on a loose ball in the box, volleying it elegantly into the bottom corner. The away fans erupted into chants of “Palmer again, ole, ole” and clamoured for the club to secure his services long-term. It was vintage Palmer, a thrilling reminder of his calibre.
As the second half progressed, Palmer continued to pull the strings, nearly adding a second to his tally when Pedro Neto set him up precisely. However, he failed to convert, a rare misstep that left him visibly frustrated. Chelsea appeared poised for victory when Moises Caicedo hammered home in the 85th minute, sending the travelling supporters into ecstasy as the team seemed headed back to the summit of the Premier League.
Yet, in true footballing drama, Brentford had the final say. Deep into stoppage time, Kristoffer Ajer’s towering presence led to a flick that found Fabio Carvalho at the back post, who made no mistake in equalising. The draw felt more like defeat for Chelsea, with flashes of promise overshadowed by the necessity for improvement.
Chelsea’s need for a breakthrough saw Palmer called upon, not fully fit but more than capable of delivering. His immediate contribution broke a 1,582-minute personal drought in open play Premier League goals, a stunning volley marking his return.
More than just the goal, Palmer’s positioning and movement troubled Brentford’s defence and made space for his teammates to exploit. Despite missing another golden chance, leading to a self-critical display of disbelief, Palmer’s overall performance was a beacon of hope on his return to action.
Another positive for Maresca was the cameo from £40m summer acquisition Alejandro Garnacho, who, despite his limited pre-season, entered the fray in the 79th minute to sensational effect. His menacing cross from the left eventually set up Caicedo for Chelsea’s second. Garnacho’s display could well earn him a start against Bayern Munich in the upcoming Champions League fixture, potentially edging out Jamie Gittens, who has yet to make a significant mark this season.
Facundo Buonanotte, another fresh face for the Blues, showed glimpses of his potential during his 45-minute stint. Operating in the No.10 role, he appeared at ease with the ball at his feet, though he found penetrating Brentford’s rearguard to be a tough task. Nonetheless, there were encouraging signs from the young Argentine.