Bees go close to knocking Chelsea out

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Brentford 2 Chelsea 2

Chelsea needed a late equaliser from Fernando Torres to rescue them from a sensational upset at the hands of Brentford, who were magnificent.

The Bees fully deserve their FA Cup fourth-round replay at Stamford Bridge, having twice led in a frenetic derby.

Chelsea, who had John Terry back in the side, were abysmal before the break and trailed to Marcello Trotta’s strike.

Oscar equalised with a stunning individual effort and Torres levelled for a second time after Harry Forrester’s penalty.

Chelsea will be relieved to have avoided losing to third-tier opposition for the first time since Bristol City beat them in 1990.

They began brightly enough and looked lively in the opening 10 minutes.

Ashley Cole knocked a dangerous ball across the face of goal after a decent break on the left flank and Oscar dribbled a shot wide from the other wing.

But that was as good it got for the holders in a diabolical first-half display.

Once settled, Brentford took full advantage of having the wind at their backs, and looked sharper and brighter.

The impressive Forrester posed all sorts of problems to Chelsea’s weak right flank.

And with the pressure building the League One team deservedly went ahead when Trotta fired the ball home after Ross Turnbull could only parry Forrester’s fierce strike.

Chelsea fans voiced their anger towards Rafael Benitez at the break and the under-pressure interim manager responded by replacing the anonymous Marko Marin with Juan Mata.

And with the ever-classy Mata orchestrating play, the visitors began to get on top.

Oscar drew them level with a sublime finish when he brilliantly controlled a lofted pass and curled the ball into the top corner after beating three men.

Brentford refused to buckle and having reasserted themselves, they regained the lead when Forrester calmly slotted home from the spot after Turnbull brought down substitute Tom Adeyemi.

But the Blues drew level when, seconds after coming on as a substitute, Demba Ba worked the ball to Torres who curled the ball beyond keeper Simon Moore.

Mata had a strong shout for a penalty when Harlee Dean seemed to handle the ball in injury time, but a Chelsea winner would have been cruel on Uwe Rosler’s men, who can be immensely proud of their display.

Brentford: Moore, Logan, Dean, Dodson, Craig, Forshaw (Saunders 85), Douglas, Diagouraga, Forrester (Barron 80), Donaldson, Trotta (Adeyemi 70).
Subs not used: Lee, Dallas, Reeves Hayes.

Chelsea: Turnbull, Ivanovic (Azpilicueta 79), Cahill, Terry, Cole, Ramires, Lampard, Marin (Mata 45), Oscar, Bertrand (Ba 82), Torres.
Subs not used: Hilario, Ferreira,  Benayoun, Ake.

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