Liam Rosenior made a winning Premier League start as Chelsea beat Brentford 2-0 at Stamford Bridge, ending a five‑match league run without victory. Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer scored the goals, while Rosenior became the second Chelsea manager since Maurizio Sarri in 2018 to win a first Premier League game, after Graham Potter in 2022.
The contest stayed competitive for long spells, with Brentford creating several clear chances but failing to score. Chelsea, who had been under pressure in recent weeks, showed greater control in the key moments, managed the game well after taking the lead, and climbed the table with a much‑needed home win.
Chelsea moved ahead after 26 minutes when Joao Pedro reacted first to Michael Kayode’s deflected clearance.
Joao Pedro drove a fierce shot high into the net, and the goal stood after a VAR offside check. The strike continued Joao Pedro’s habit of scoring crucial goals during tight league matches for Chelsea.
Palmer settled the result from the penalty spot in the 76th minute. Liam Delap was brought down in the area by Caoimhin Kelleher, leaving the referee with a straightforward decision. Palmer stayed calm and drilled the penalty into the bottom right corner, leaving Brentford’s goalkeeper without a realistic chance.
Earlier, Brentford had several opportunities to change the course of the match. An inventive first‑half set‑piece opened space for Mathias Jensen, whose mis‑hit volley struck the post. After half-time, Kevin Schade forced Robert Sanchez into a vital save, with Sanchez stretching out a boot to block a low shot.
Underlying numbers showed how close the match was across 90 minutes. Chelsea finished with 1.59 expected goals, only slightly higher than Brentford’s 1.54. The visitors might feel unlucky, especially as their recent London derby record away from home worsened, with five defeats in their last six such league trips.
| Team | Expected Goals (xG) |
|---|---|
| Chelsea | 1.59 |
| Brentford | 1.54 |
| Team / Player | Stat | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Joao Pedro | Premier League goals | 7 total; 6 either put Chelsea ahead (4) or levelled the match (2) |
| Joao Pedro | Match‑winning league goals for Chelsea this season | 3 (most by any Chelsea player) |
| Brentford | Recent London derby away record | Lost 5 of last 6 (W1), last 4 all 2-0 defeats |
Joao Pedro’s performance again highlighted the forward’s importance, with three match‑winning league goals this season, more than any Chelsea teammate. Brentford’s latest London derby defeat, their fourth straight away loss by a 2-0 scoreline, left the Bees reflecting on missed chances rather than poor overall play.
We take the points! #CFC | #CHEBRE pic.twitter.com/sJYGPAw6NH Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 17, 2026
The result gave Chelsea a clean sheet, a confidence lift, and a positive beginning for Rosenior in the Premier League. Brentford left Stamford Bridge frustrated after matching Chelsea’s numbers but not the finishing. The match underlined how fine details, clinical penalties and one powerful strike decided a close London fixture.
