Three things we learnt as Chelsea held by Brentford despite Moises Caicedo cracker
ANALYSIS: Sports reporter Ben McCaffrey gives his thoughts after a late Fabio Carvalho effort equalised for the hosts
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Brentford rescued a late point against Chelsea in a 2-2 draw at the Gtech Community Stadium courtesy of a Fabio Carvalho goal from a long throw-in.
Keith Andrew's side put in a great performance, and found themselves a goal to the good when Jordan Henderson's pinpoint through ball found Kevin Schade, who fired the ball into the bottom corner.
Cole Palmer then needed just four minutes after his second half introduction to equal the score after a cool finish into the bottom corner, before Caicedo hammered the ball in from the edge of the box in what appeared to be the match-winner.
But Fabio Carvalho had other ideas, benefiting from a dangerous long throw-in, with the Bees taking a point from a game they undoubtedly deserved one from.
With that being said, here are three things we learnt throughout the match.
Cole Palmer is still the man for Chelsea
Cole Palmer scored four minutes after his introduction
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Palmer’s instant impact is a quick reminder to all fans that he is still the main man at Stamford Bridge - not that anybody had forgotten.
The 23-year-old needed just four minutes before he cooly slotted the ball into Caoimhin Kelleher’s net to equalise for Enzo Maresca’s side.
Palmer’s impact was monumental during the game. The Blues looked a completely different side with him on the pitch, and he could have grabbed a second after Pedro Neto squared the ball to the midfielder who forced a brilliant save from Brentford’s Irish goalkeeper.
Cole Palmer could have grabbed a second on the night
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Joao Pedro has enjoyed a fantastic start to life in a Chelsea shirt and has been taking the mantle from Palmer with the English star’s injury absence, but the Brazilian’s impact cannot match Palmer’s.
Chelsea were not at the races on the night, compared to an excellent Brentford side, but once again salvaged a point by the brilliance of their No10.
Jordan Henderson still has that quality
Jordan Henderson grabbed a wonderful assist for Brentford's opener
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There's a reason why Brentford made the move to sign Henderson this summer. There’s a reason he remains in the England squad.
The former Liverpool skipper still possesses that quality, the eye for a pass, and that was demonstrated to devastating effect against Chelsea.
Picking up the ball from deep, the 35-year-old barely even looked for the Schade's sprint before executing an inch-perfect pass to send the German through on goal, which he dispatched expertly.
It was a goal from almost nothing; Henderson was far into his own half when he picked up the ball, but it was a moment of brilliance from the Englishman to spot the run of Schade.
After spending the last two seasons playing his football abroad, Henderson reminded everybody of his quality on Saturday evening, particularly fans at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Crucially, though, as impressive a pass as it was from Henderson, he remains one cog in the Brentford wheel who, despite not picking up the three points, impressed yet again.
Andrews continues to prove doubters wrong - many people wrote them off from this season. A change in their style of play could be crucial in their survival.
Long throws really are back
Michael Kayode was a threat from the long throw-ins all match
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Brentford demonstrated the dangers of their long throw-ins to devastating effect.
It’s not a new trend - the Bees have scored more than three times as many goals from those situations as any other Premier League side since the start of last season.
But Michael Kayode’s throw-ins have an air of Rory Delap about them, and that proved vital in keeping Stoke City in the league - it proved crucial on Saturday night, too.
It was ultimately a long throw-in that nicked a point for Andrews' side, causing chaos in the Chelsea box once more with Carvalho the beneficiary.
It is no secret that Brentford boss Andrews was formerly their set-piece coach, and the Bees’ change of style has been evident. It could help keep them in the league.