Our 3️⃣ points after Brentford run Chelsea right to the wire | OneFootball

Chelsea are top of the table again but they were made to work extremely hard for it at the Brentford Community Stadium on Saturday night.

Here are three things we learned from the game …

Unlikely heroes

Despite making some mega signings in recent transfer windows, it’s been some of Chelsea’s less celebrated names that have been the difference at times this season.

Ben Chilwell’s well-executed strike at the end of the first half proved to be the winner and that’s now the England international’s third goal in three games for club and country.

Then there’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who played the full 90 minutes here and gave an excellent account of himself. It’s starting to look like he might go onto fulfil the potential he showed back in his academy days.

And the surprise name in the starting line-up was 22-year-old Malang Sarr, who made his long-awaited Premier League debut for the club after spending last season on loan at Porto. He was as strong and tidy as it’s possible to be when you’re up against a player like Ivan Toney.

Thomas Tuchel is an excellent tactician and Chelsea have some stellar players, but it’s strength in depth that wins you titles. They’ve got that in abundance.

A tough place to go

Considering the start Brentford have made to the season, this should be considered a very good three points for Chelsea.

Were it not for Bryan Mbeumo hitting the post twice and Edouard Mendy’s heroics in goal, it might have been a very different story.

We’ve see what the Bees have done to Arsenal and Liverpool this season and they gave Chelsea a real run for their money here, with an energetic performance that didn’t relent until the final whistle blew.

On a day when Watford looked like they might have given up already and Norwich remain rooted to the foot of the table, Thomas Frank’s side are attacking the Premier League with gusto, and it’s so enjoyable to watch.

This title race is tight

This result returns Chelsea to the top of the table but with Liverpool and Manchester City breathing down their necks, there is no time to relax.

Liverpool were superb in their win at Watford earlier in the day while City got the job done over Burnley, and both look formidable.

After their defeat at Leicester, Manchester United’s chances of going the distance in the title race are looking remote, but you never know.

It’s going to be a great season with at least three very strong challengers and it could well go right down to the wire.

Strap in and enjoy the ride.