Ivanovic hands Con tea parting gift before exit
CHELSEA 4 Willian (14), Pedro (21), Ivanovic (69), Batshuayi (81, pen) BRENTFORD 0
BRANISLAV Ivanovic scored on his potential farewell appearance as Chelsea beat neighbours Brentford with something to spare.
Brentford, 15th in the Championship, took Chelsea to a replay four years ago, but there was little prospect of a repeat as the Blues claimed a 10th successive home win.
Willian, Pedro and Michy Batshuayi, with a penalty, were also on target for the Premier League leaders, whose only concern came when Willian went off midway through the second half after earlier holding an ankle.
Ivanovic replaced Willian and scored his 34th Chelsea goal on his 377th appearance, amid suggestions his nine-year stay at Stamford Bridge could come to an end before Tuesday’s transfer deadline. Asmir Begovic, who will be allowed to leave for Bournemouth if Chelsea can find a replacement, made a number of key interventions to deny Brentford and show his value as Thibaut Courtois’ back-up.
Another potential goodbye came when striker Scott Hogan, valued at £15million and linked with West Ham, came off the Brentford bench. It was his first involvement in the matchday squad for almost four weeks, but he could not turn the match in Brentford’s favour.
Chelsea’s last home loss was to Tuesday’s league opponents Liverpool, who were dumped out of the FA Cup by Wolves earlier in the
day. Like Jurgen Klopp, Antonio Conte made nine changes against Championship opposition, with Pedro and Cesar Azpilicueta the only players retained following the win over Hull.
Brentford held their own before Lasse Vibe was penalised for a body check on Pedro. Bees complaints were dismissed.
Willian took the resulting free-kick and curled it beyond Daniel Bentley.
Soon it was 2-0. Batshuayi played the ball into the right channel. Ruben LoftusCheek left it for Pedro, who slid it beneath Bentley. Batshuayi thought he had scored Chelsea’s third, but one scrambled chance was cleared before Pedro was offside as the Belgium striker found the net.
Loftus-Cheek, who had a long-range shot tipped over, next snatched at a chance, firing straight at Bentley.
Brentford had opportunities either side of half-time. Yoann Barbet struck a volley at Begovic and the keeper pounced as Vibe hesitated after John Terry’s slip.
Willian shrugged off a knock to an ankle to cut in from the left and shoot over.
The Brazilian ran at Brentford again. He fed Loftus-Cheek, who lifted the ball over the on-rushing Bentley, but on to the bar. Begovic spread himself to save at the feet of Nico Yennaris before LoftusCheek beat two men, only for a third to block his effort.
Chelsea’s third finally came when Pedro ran down the right and fed the overlapping Ivanovic.
The Serbian opted to power the ball low into the near corner before being enveloped by team-mates.
Ivanovic, who has won ever major club honour since his arrival in 2008, was then fouled by Barbet in the penalty area.
Batshuayi converted the resulting spot-kick in an emphatic win.