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Key eventsShow key events onlyPlease turn on JavaScript to use this feature7 min: Brentford have made their game plan clear. Anticipating Chelsea will have the lion share of possession, Keith Andrew’s side seem set on clipping balls over the top on the counter attack. It’s causing Chelsea problems so far.Share5 min: Brentford have the first real chance of the game. It’s route one stuff: a long ball over the top finds Kevin Schade who take the ball down before cutting in and letting fly. The shot takes a deflection and is out for a corner.Share2 min: Chelsea are setting the tempo early in this game. It’s good to see Wesley Fofana back after a series of injuries. It’s strange to see him at right back though, especially with Reece James and Malo Gusto on the bench.ShareKick offAnd we’re off! Brentford are kicking from left to right.ShareA message from Alex: “Has there ever been a team with so many players ending in -o? Chelsea could almost get a whole XI of them.”And that’s without Estêvão.ShareA message from Brendan Large:“Does knowing Ranieri was the Tinkerman make me old? Argh…I know I am, of course, but that seems like a reference all Premier League fans should recognise, surely?”I’m a bit younger than John Brewin but I know that Claudio Ranieri was the Tinkerman. Perhaps that’s because I follow Chelsea.CHELSEA V ARSENAL, F.A. PREMIERSHIP MATCH, STAMFORD BRIDGE, LONDON. 21/2/04. PIC: TOM JENKINS.
CHELSEA MANAGER CLAUDIO RANIERI LOOKS ANGRY AS EIDER GUDJOHNSEN IS SENT OFF BY MIKE RILEY FOR A 2ND YELLOW CARD. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The GuardianShareUpdated at 19.49 BSTThe big team news for Brentford is the return of Vitaly Janelt to the squad. He’s available for the first time since April after undergoing surgery on his heel. He’s joined by new signing Reiss Nelson on the bench. According to Keith Andrews, the Arsenal loanee has “slotted seamlessly into the group.”For Chelsea, Cole Palmer returns to the squad after recovering from his groin injury. Palmer is on the bench with Chelsea’s new signing Facundo Buonanotte starting in his place. Interestingly, there’s no sign of Estêvão Willian.ShareJohn BrewinThe Prodigy are pumping at the GTech for this rather unsociable 8pm kick-off. They’ve just declared last orders will be at 10.30pm. So then, the football. That looks an odd Chelsea team with Wesley Fofana right-back. Is Enzo Maresca the new Tinkerman, for older fans – it’s a long time since Claudio Ranieri? Brentford was a difficult place to go to under Thomas Frank and Keith Andrews has to do the same. It’s a familiar lineup for his team, with Liverpool graduates in Caoimhim Kelleher and Jordan Henderson key men in the new Brentford.ShareThe teamsBrentford: Kelleher, Kayode, Van Den Berg, Collins, Pinnock, Lewis-Potter, Henderson, Yarmoliuk, Jensen, Schade, ThiagoSubs: Valdimarsson, Hickey, Henry, Nelson, Carvalho, Onyeka, Ouatarra, Ajer, JaneltChelsea: Sanchez, Fofana, Chalobah, Tosin, Hato, Caicedo, Enzo, Neto, Buonanotte, Gittens, Joao PedroSubs: Jorgenson, Acheampong, James, Gusto, Cucurella, Andrey Santos, Palmer, Garnacho, GeorgeSharePreambleHello and welcome to minute-by-minute coverage of Brentford v Chelsea in the Premier League.A new manager, a transfer saga and a difficult start to the season. There’s been drama in west London, and that’s just at Brentford. The former set piece coach turned head coach Keith Andrews will be keen to kick-start his side’s season after an opening day loss against Nottingham Forest and last gasp defeat versus Sunderland. Brentford are slowly adapting to life without Christian Nørgaard, Brian Mbuemo and Youanne Wissa, by way of a protracted transfer saga.For once, Chelsea look like the more stable side. 74 FA charges and Nicolas Jackson situation aside, Enzo Maresca’s side have started the season well, remaining unbeaten and conceding only one goal in the process. Tonight’s game is Chelsea’s fourth straight London derby this season. A win at the Gtech would see them climb to the top of the table.Feel free to share your thoughts with me via email. Kick off is 8pm.Share
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