Tuchel’s brought to knees by Bees
CHELSEA boss Thomas Tuchel admitted it was a ‘strange’ day after his world and European champions were thumped by Brentford. Talk about understating the pulsating events at Stamford Bridge as Thomas Frank’s minnows notched up their first league win here for 83 years.
Brentford’s magnificent result was achieved after falling behind to what could well be the goal of the season – a long-range rocket from
Antonio Rudiger.
Tuchel said: “We worked so hard to get the lead – with a beautiful goal – and then concede three in 10 minutes. It’s not normal. It’s a summary of strange events.”
Since the sanctioning of Russian owner Roman
Abramovich, Chelsea had won six in row. But Brentford ripped up that form guide thanks to Vitaly Janelt’s double, Christian Eriksen’s first for the club and a late fourth from substitute Yoane Wissa.
Grinning Danish coach Frank hailed his match-winners and said: “Vitaly’s been a really good signing over the last two years. He has that rare ability as a midfielder to arrive from deep to score.
“And I’ve just told Christian I’m happy he’s saved some goals for Brentford. He’s a top player. It’s an ongoing fairytale.”
Brentford moved 11 points clear of danger, while Chelsea are only five ahead of fourthplaced Arsenal, having played a game more.
After a goalless first half, Rudiger found the net from 40 yards and leapt into Tuchel’s arms.
Within six minutes the Bees were ahead. First, Janelt burst through a wide open defence to slam in, then Eriksen converted Bryan Mbeumo’s pass. Six minutes later, Ivan Toney teed up Janelt for his second, then Wissa punished Rudiger’s miscue.