Mateo Kovačić coming on for the injured(?) Conor Gallagher after 15 minutes seemed to turn the game in our favor, although it remained quite open and messy — just with Chelsea being our danger too. In truth, Armando Broja could have had at least one, if not two goals in the first 45 minutes, or at least an assist, but his efforts (and his huge speed advantage over all Brentford defenders) went unrewarded. At the other end, Kepa saved a point-blank header from Toney. The second half started like the first, with Brentford squandering an open header inside the first two minutes. Chelsea then played a more even game in terms of chances and slowly increased our percentage of possession, although not necessarily our control. The triple change to the time display was definitely helpful. The home side naturally presented plenty of danger on the counter, but the only thing that kept Chelsea out was a series of brilliant blocks from the defense — and then also an uncalled-for handball in the final play of the game. One of the most amazing scoreless games you will ever see. Carefree.
More rotation from Potter, with Azpi, Gallagher, Broja, Jorginho starting. Back-three, nominally, with RLC in a wing-back-ish role on the right. Triple change just past the hour and sees Sterling at left wing-back on the left. Havertz from the middle is supported by Pulisic and Chukwuemeka. The winning streak ends at five, but the clean sheet is now at five. Seven unbeaten under Potter. Next: Manchester United at home on Sunday KTBFFH
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