Chelsea halted Brentford’s impressive six-game unbeaten run with a clinical 2-0 victory at Stamford Bridge, moving Liam Rosenior’s side further up the Premier League table.
Goals from João Pedro and a trademark penalty from Cole Palmer secured the three points, though the headlines were dominated by the unexpected absence of Brazilian sensation Estêvão.
João Pedro Pounces
Despite Brentford’s solid defensive record recently, Chelsea broke the deadlock in the first half. Brazilian forward João Pedro capitalized on a rare defensive lapse, firing past Caoimhín Kelleher to put the Blues ahead.
Brentford, led by Keith Andrews, struggled to find their rhythm. Their danger man, Igor Thiago—who arrived at the Bridge with five goals in his last two outings—was kept quiet by Robert Sanchez and a disciplined Chelsea backline.
Palmer Finds His Form
The second half was a cagey affair with few clear-cut chances. However, Chelsea’s insurance goal came from the penalty spot. Cole Palmer stepped up to convert, marking his 5th goal of a campaign that has been hampered by minor fitness issues.
While the England international earned a late yellow card and is still searching for his first assist of the season, his return to the scoresheet is a massive boost for Rosenior as Palmer looks to regain the “world-class” consistency he displayed over the last two years.
The Estêvão Mystery: Why Was He Missing?
The biggest talking point of the afternoon was the absence of Estêvão. The former Palmeiras star, who has been Chelsea’s breakout performer this season, was not included in the matchday squad.
Chelsea have yet to release an official medical report, but manager Liam Rosenior had recently hinted at the need for “special care” regarding the teenager’s adaptation to the physical demands of English football. Fans are now anxiously waiting to see if it’s a tactical rest or a fresh injury concern for the Brazilian “Gem.”
We take the points! 😁#CFC | #CHEBRE pic.twitter.com/sJYGPAw6NH
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 17, 2026
Miguel Manjate is a football journalist and editor covering the Premier League, European competitions, and transfer news, with a strong focus on match analysis and data-driven reporting.
