Only a win would have eased the pressure on Pochettino enough for him to enjoy his evening plans for his birthday. Chelsea toiled to their FA Cup win over Championship outfit Leeds on Wednesday and this draw hardly helped in their pursuit of European qualification via the Premier League.
Chelsea started a match with a back three for the first time in six months. Pochettino last tried this tactic in a 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest on September 2, yet he saw matching up to Thomas Frank’s Brentford as the likeliest route to victory here.
Chelsea rarely looked in complete control, however. It was scrappy from the start as they scuffed a series of half-chances, from a dragged effort by Enzo Fernandez which nearly set up Nicolas Jackson to a looping header by Disasi which landed on top of the net.
Brentford created their own opportunities, one volley by Ivan Toney needing blocking by Levi Colwill while Wissa sent a 25-yard curler narrowly wide of Djordje Petrovic’s goal.
Petrovic was not worried about that attempt from Wissa, though there was a nervy glance towards referee Jarred Gillett when Brentford claimed he caught one ball outside of his box. Unsure, Gillett gave nothing, with the home support colourfully letting him know their thoughts.
Wissa was at the heart of Brentford\’s best chances in the first half, sending one cross from Toney into the side-netting before an overhead kick was gratefully received by Petrovic.
Chelsea should have scored in the 30th minute when Fernandez played a nice pass in behind for Jackson. He rounded Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken but the right-footer’s left-footed attempt was so weak, Zanka had time to get back to clear his goal-line.
Jackson made up for that mishap as Chelsea made it 1-0 in the 35th minute. Malo Gusto’s cross was perfect as the striker sprinted forwards to thunder his header beyond Flekken. He celebrated by shushing the Brentford supporters who had been delighting in his misfortune, including when he tackled himself while trying to perform step-overs. No matter. He had secured the last laugh.
Or so he thought. Brentford emerged for the second half looking like an entirely new team – energised and ready to rock Chelsea. In the 50th minute, they made it 1-1.
Yet the team ignored this toxic atmosphere to make it 2-2, with Palmer\’s cross being headed home by Disasi. A draw will not do much to help ease the pressure on Pochettino, but it is certainly better than another defeat.