Chelsea’s four-game winning streak in the Premier League has come to an end as they nicked a point away at Brentford in a lively 0-0 draw.
The Bees could have scored four on another day as Kepa Arrizabalaga starred yet again between the sticks for the visitors.
Chelsea star Conor Gallagher went off early in the away clash against Brentford
Blues goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga starred in the 0-0 draw at the Gtech Community Stadium
Ivan Toney spurned a number of chances in the first half where he forced Kepa into making two great diving saves.
But the chance of the match fell to Bryan Mbeumo at the start of the second half.
Mads Roerslev picked out the forward with a brilliant cross, who somehow missed his header from a few yards out.
His downward effort went straight down the middle of the goal as Kepa gratefully held onto the ball.
Brentford kept pressing for a late winner, and they almost had it in the 82nd minute when Toney went one-on-one with Kepa.
However the Spanish shot-stopper raced out of his line to block his effort in what was another dazzling display.
Toney was denied on multiple occasions by Spanish shot-stopper Kepa
The visitors then almost snatched all three points in the 94th minute, but David Raya expertly denied Carney Chukwuemeka.
Chelsea remain unbeaten Graham Potter, and just like against Aston Villa, they have Kepa to thank for it.
The Blues’ poor performance won’t be the only concern for Potter, as Conor Gallagher added to the club’s injury crisis.
The 22-year-old lasted just 16 minutes at the Gtech Community Stadium where he was replaced by Mateo Kovacic.
Gallagher has added to the Blues’ injury crisis with Reece James, Wesley Fofana and N’Golo Kante all out
Raheem Sterling failed to make an impact for Chelsea after coming off the bench
Gallagher hit the deck after the ball cannoned off his knee while his foot was planted in the turf.
The England international received treatment on the pitch, but he wasn’t able to shake off the knock leading to his withdrawal.
Though the youngster did manage to walk freely off the pitch.
Still, Potter will be concerned by the severity of his problem with a number of Chelsea stars currently out on the sidelines.
Gallagher’s Three Lions team-mate Reece James is out with a knee injury of his own which could see him miss the World Cup.
The ex-Wigan loanee is facing up to eight weeks out after picking up the injury during the Champions League clash away at AC Milan.
Summer signing Wesley Fofana is also out with a knee issue where he could miss the next six weeks of action.
He picked up his injury in the home fixture against the Serie A side with the Frenchman leaving the pitch in tears.
Armando Broja didn’t make an impression on his first Premier League start for Chelsea
And in another blow for the west London outfit, N’Golo Kante faces up to four months on the sidelines.
The 31-year-old hasn’t featured since the 2-2 draw against rivals Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.
And after suffering from a setback, the decision was made for the 2018 World Cup winner to have an operation on his hamstring.
It means that he will miss the upcoming global tournament in Qatar.
His injury problems could see Chelsea decide against offering him a new deal with the player to become a free agent at the end of the season.
Via TalkSport