Analysis: Chelsea solidity proves short-lived

[Getty Images] After such a positive start to the campaign with back-to-back wins and goals aplenty, things have quickly got tricky for Chelsea. It is now three league games without a win, seven goals conceded in that time and 12 in total this season – plus another three in the Carabao Cup. With those defensive concerns in mind, Alonso brought in Jordan Henderson and Valentin Barco to shore up the midfield, and for an hour it worked. The pair were booed throughout by the Brentford fans, Henderson as a former Bees player and Barco for his antics with Argentina at the World Cup, but did a good job of winning their battles and looking after the ball. But that added solidity seemed to come at the expense of the attacking verve that has been so evident early in the season. Cole Palmer provided glimpses of his quality but the absence of the injured Joao Pedro was sorely felt, both before and after they fell behind. For all they had Brentford penned in at 1-0, they struggled to create anything that could be considered a clear opportunity until the game was already lost while their frailties at the back resurfaced.