Pedro, Palmer deliver as Chelsea edge Brentford 2-0

Chelsea won Liam Rosenior’s first Premier League match as head coach as they secured a battling home victory over Brentford.

Joao Pedro’s powerful first-half strike and Cole Palmer’s penalty after the break gave Rosenior a second win in three matches as Blues boss.

But they did not have it all their own way, with Brentford having more possession, shots, and shots on target than their hosts.

The Bees started brightly, and Kevin Schade had their first two attempts on goal before passing to Mikkel Damsgaard, who should have taken the chance to shoot.

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When Chelsea responded, Palmer curled a shot over and Joao Pedro had a penalty appeal waved away before the Brazilian broke the deadlock on 26 minutes.

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez forced Michael Kayode into a mistake on the edge of his own box and as the ball broke, Joao Pedro smashed past Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.

Brentford rallied and Damsgaard, Schade and Mathias Jensen, who struck the post, all had chances to equalise, and Alejandro Garnacho missed an open goal from six yards at the other end.

Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was then forced into a superb save to deny Schade in a one-on-one early in the second half.

With Brentford continuing to press, Rosenior sought to protect his lead, withdrawing Garnacho for Andrey Santos in a defensive change.

That merely invited more pressure, and Bees striker Igor Thiago uncharacteristically headed wide, having scored 16 goals in the league this season.

Chelsea punished that miss as an errant pass from Nathan Collins and slow reactions from Kelleher allowed substitute Liam Delap to intercept and draw a foul from the goalkeeper in the area.

Palmer sent Kelleher the wrong way and when Aaron Hickey’s late attempt curled wide, Chelsea were able to celebrate a clean sheet as well as a victory that moved them above their visitors into sixth.

Chelsea next host Cypriot side Pafos in the Champions League on Wednesday (20:00 GMT). They then travel to Selhurst Park for another London derby at Crystal Palace on Sunday (14:00 GMT).

Brentford welcome Nottingham Forest to west London in the Premier League next Sunday (14:00 GMT).