MENDY MAGIC KILLS OFF BEES
Chelsea keeper’s brilliance sends his side back to top of the table
THE Ballon d’Or 30-man shortlist came out during the international break and, surprisingly to some observers, Edouard Mendy’s name was not on it.
‘Unacceptable’ said his Senegal team-mate Sadio Mane. ‘It’s a real shame,’ added another international colleague, Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly.
As Mendy defied Brentford, at times single-handedly, during an incredible Chelsea rearguard action that left Thomas Frank in disbelief, it was hard to argue with the view he deserved more recognition — with a place on the prestigious list to go with his award for being the best keeper in last season’s Champions
League. Instead, after leading the Chelsea second-half resistance in the face of intense pressure during this increasingly breathless west London derby, Mendy had to settle for man-ofthe-match honours and the gratitude of everyone connected with the Blues.
Manager Thomas Tuchel said: ‘He was absolutely decisive to escape with a clean sheet. He was very strong, throughout the whole match.’ But Tuchel, not one for individual awards, added: ‘It’s more important he performs like this than he is on any list. I hope it does not bother him because it does not bother me too much. It seems like he is not influenced from that, which is a good thing.’
It was going to take something special to overshadow the continuation of match-winner Ben Chilwell’s remarkable scoring form — he struck for the third game in a row for club and country to send Chelsea back top of the league — and Mendy’s late heroics were just that.
He had an inspired final quarter of the game denying Ivan Toney, Saman Ghoddos and Pontus Jansson — with his face — before saving the very best for last: a stunning reaction stop to divert Christian Norgaard’s overhead kick onto the bar and over.
‘It was pretty much hell on earth the last 20 minutes,’ said Chilwell. ‘We have got Edou to thank, he’s amazing. He is getting the credit he deserves.’
It was no surprise, with his side having laid siege to the Chelsea goal, that, after the final Mendy save, Frank turned to the crowd, arms spread and a look of bewilderment on his face as to how Brentford had not managed to equalise.
As well as the chances he had to save, there were many other nearmisses for the relentless hosts.
They once again gave one of the big boys a thorough examination at home, though this time without the reward that they secured in beating Arsenal and drawing with Liverpool.
Frank said: ‘If we play this game 10 times, we win nine. Mendy was world class. He has been crazy good. I said to him it was a little bit annoying he was so good so I praised him.’
Malang Sarr’s was the standout selection when the line-ups dropped, Tuchel handing the French defender his Premier League debut in the absence of Thiago Silva and Antonio Rudiger. One small slip aside, he made an eye-catching introduction to England’s top flight.
His 10 clearances in the game were the most made by a Chelsea player in the Premier League this season as were his six interceptions. His contribution was another indication of how much work Chelsea were forced to do by Brentford.
The first sign of what was to come, Brentford’s ability to create chances, was there in the first half when Bryan Mbeumo hit the post.
But Chelsea grew stronger as the half wore on and were rewarded when Chilwell smashed a volley past David Raya, having scored before the international break against Southampton and while away with England against Andorra.
Tuchel said: ‘He got his chance against Southampton and he took it and was in good shape again and we need him to be. We have many games, many competitions to play and I’m happy.’
He would not have been as happy with how the second half progressed as Brentford piled on more and more pressure, forcing Chelsea’s defence to work overtime to preserve their narrow lead.
As well as Mendy’s saves, Mbeumo hit the post again, there was a crucial clearing header from Romelu Lukaku, a goalline clearance from Trevoh Chalobah and big blocks too from Sarr and Cesar Azpilicueta.
But one man, above all, was the reason that Chelsea held on.
BRENTFORD (3-5-2): Raya 7; Jorgensen 6.5, Jansson 7, Pinnock 7; Canos 6.5 (Ghoddos 72min, 6), Jensen 6, Norgaard 6, Onyeka 6 (Forss 67, 6), Henry 7; Toney 6.5, Mbuemo 6.5. Booked: Canos. Subs (not used): Fernandez, Thompson, Goode, Ajer, Bidstrup, Roerslev, Maghoma. CHELSEA (3-5-2): Mendy 9; Chalobah 7.5, Christensen 7.5, Sarr 8.5; Azpilicueta 7.5 (James 89), Kante 7, Kovacic 6.5 (Mount 65, 6), Loftus-Cheek 7, Chilwell 7.5; Lukaku 6 (Havertz 77), Werner 6.5. Booked: Kovacic. Subs (not used): Arrizabalaga, Alonso, Jorginho, Saul, Barkley, Hudson-Odoi. Referee: A Taylor (Cheshire) 6.