Analysis: Schuster shines as Igor Thiago breaks his duck

[Getty Images] Three weeks without a game is not something any Premier League fan is looking forward to, but Brentford supporters can at least spend the forthcoming international break reflecting on their side's excellent start to the season. It is now six games unbeaten to start 2026-27 and, for now at least, they are looking down on all but Arsenal and Manchester City in the table. Arguably, Brentford's biggest strength is their adaptability - finding the approach that is best suited for any given game or opponent. On Friday, that largely meant keeping their discipline and picking their moments to hit Chelsea on the counter-attack. For much of the first half, they struggled with the second part and yet they were rarely troubled with summer signing Schuster key at the heart of the defence. The 20-year-old Austrian was invariably in the right place to snuff out Chelsea attacks, won his duels and even popped up with an assist at the other end. Already he looks another shrewd signing. At the other end of the pitch, there will have been a huge amount of relief around the Gtech when Igor Thiago calmly tucked away the second goal. After playing a starring role with 22 league goals last season, the Brazil striker has looked short of confidence so far this campaign. Having now got off the mark, the hope that he can kick on again when the league resumes in October.