Marc Cucurella and Nicolas Jackson help Chelsea defeat Brentford 2-1, moving the Blues two points behind leaders Liverpool.

Chelsea easily defeated Brentford 2-1, but they used their opponents' mistakes to pull away from the top of the Premier League by two points.

The Blues avoided making the same error as Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal, who had all lost at home earlier in the weekend, and managed to hold on to victory against a Bees team that had only won one away game this season.

After dominating the first half without producing many clear-cut chances, Marc Cucurella nodded in his first Premier League goal for the Blues minutes before halftime to give them a well-earned lead going into halftime.

When he puffed the crucial Jadon Sancho's cross over from six yards out on the hour mark, Nicolas Jackson should have ended the game. Without it, the Blues' slim lead would have remained unstable.

Fabio Carvalho's sliding attempt bounced down off the bar, just inches from crossing the line, but Brentford came very near to make them pay as momentum started to shift and Christian Norgaard made an incredible finger-tip save out of Robert Sanchez.

With ten minutes remaining, Chelsea finally gave themselves a cushion to defend, and the relief across Stamford Bridge was summed up by Enzo Maresca's jubilation after Jackson's powerful second following a swift counterattack.

 
Even so, Bryan Mbeumo skilfully finished off a Brentford attack after a poor pass from Cucurella to Moises Caicedo. The Blues had to endure a nerve-racking seven minutes of extra time before they could finally enjoy winning and outpacing their title rivals.

After the final whistle, Cucurella's stellar evening came to a bitter end as the goalie was given a second yellow card after a confrontation with Kevin Schade.

Maresca: Champions don't give up goals like that Enzo Maresca, the manager of Chelsea:

"I believe we are not prepared to contend for the championship, regardless of how many games we win. I believe that teams that understand how to win titles won't give up goals the way we did, which is one of the reasons.

"Our attacking throw-in in the 90th minute. I would adore the pressure to compete, if you don't believe me or think I'm simply saying that. However, we cannot give up the aim we gave up, which is one of the numerous reasons we are not ready. It made the game more accessible.

Regarding Marc Cucurella's red card: "The referee informed me that the second yellow card was for a foul attitude. I was celebrating with the coaching staff when the final whistle blew, so I didn't see anything.

"He and the other ten were at the top." They were outstanding, and Marc's performance pleased us. After the game is over, we can handle the situation differently. However, it's a learning experience for the players.

Thomas Frank, the head coach of Brentford, said: Chelsea's celebrations demonstrated that we deserved a point.

"It was unfortunate for us in many respects that we didn't win the game, or at least tie. We essentially faced up against one of the Premier League's favourites in the second half, which was amazing.

"Our performance in the second half was quite amazing. After we exerted pressure and had two significant situations with Christian Norgaard and Fabio Carvalho, they ended up cutting set pieces short and fleeing to the corner.

"The way they celebrated the second goal and the win, it meant a lot to them - we must have caused them a lot of trouble so I'm very pleased with the performance from my team."