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- Chelsea were held to a 2-2 draw in the West London derby away at Brentford
- The Blues fans turned on manager Mauricio Pochettino and owner Todd Boehly
- Do Spurs fans really want boring Antonio Conte or Jose Mourinho in charge – or Ange Postecoglou who just goes for it? It’s All Kicking Off podcast
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Mauricio Pochettino is not ready to line up with a blindfold and cigarette to accept his fate. Instead, Chelsea’s manager spent Saturday night strapping on a bulletproof vest, telling his critics to bring on their barrage of snipes after this trip to Brentford turned toxic.
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- Owner Todd Boehly also came under fire as the Blues continue to struggle in the league
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Pochettino insisted after a disappointing draw that he would never quit, even if the supporters were singing for him to ‘f*** off’ at the Gtech Community Stadium.
They also sang offensive songs about their owner Todd Boehly while praising Roman Abramovich and Jose Mourinho, the symbols of an era dripping in so much silverware that expectations are much higher than the midtable mediocrity they have experienced for the past 18 months.
Report
Thomas Frank’s team had led until the 83rd minute but Axel Disasi headed home his first goal since the opening weekend against Liverpool to earn a point.
How the match unfolded
There was no Neal Maupay for Brentford as Yoanne Wissa took the Frenchman’s place in attack for the Bees. Keane Lewis-Potter and Ben Mee were also out as Mads Roerslev and Nathan Collins returned.
Mauricio Pochettino made one change, with Trevoh Chalobah replacing Raheem Sterling.
Chelsea assumed early control of the match, holding 72 per cent possession in the first half but struggled to create clear-cut opportunities.
Nicolas Jackson came close to opening the scoring after receiving a through-ball from Enzo Fernandez and rounding Mark Flekken, but his weak shot was cleared by Zanka.
However five minutes later the striker redeemed himself with a leaping headed goal between the two Brentford centre-backs from a well-placed Malo Gusto cross.
Thomas Frank’s side were much more combative in the second half and it soon paid off as Roerslev scored his first goal in over two years, smashing home a loose ball after Sergio Reguilion’s effort had been blocked.
Brentford went close soon after as Vitaly Janelt’s low driven effort from the edge of the box sliced through the legs of Chalobah to hit a post.
The home team continued to attack and were rewarded by Wissa’s spectacular goal. Frank Onyeka’s reflex flick-up in the area was converted by Congolese’s bicycle kick.
But with seven minutes remaining, Disasi earned Chelsea a point as he headed in a good curling cross by Cole Palmer who received the ball from a corner.
The point takes Brentford above Everton into 15th on 26 points, six clear of the bottom three. Chelsea remain 11th with 36 points.
Club reports
Brentford report | Chelsea report
Match Officials
Referee: Jarred Gillett. Assistants: Darren Cann, Akil Howson. Fourth official: Oliver Langford. VAR: Michael Salisbury. Assistant VAR: Natalie Aspinall.
Source:EPL