Chelsea fans have had a tough season to endure, and it just got worse with their 2-0 defeat to Brentford at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday. This was the fifth consecutive loss for the Blues in all competitions, a record they haven’t experienced in 30 years.
The team’s former legendary player Frank Lampard returned to the club for his second spell as the manager on 3 April, and all five losses came under his leadership. Lampard already earned the unwanted record of becoming the first Chelsea manager to lose his first four games in charge in the club’s 118-year history, with last week’s Champions League loss to Real Madrid.
While that loss was against a top European side, Wednesday’s defeat came at the hands of Brentford, who are only in their second-ever Premier League season and had not won in six games before the match. Chelsea’s expensively assembled squad barely laid a glove on their opponent, and the fans showed their frustrations by booing the team at full-time.
Lampard acknowledged the fans’ disappointment, saying that he understands that they are used to success and want it all the time. He assured the fans that the players are showing application, and Brentford’s two goals came from only one shot on target.
However, there was more than a slice of luck about Brentford’s first-half opener, which came from a corner that was flicked on by Mathias Jorgensen and deflected off Cesar Azpilicueta’s shoulder to land in the back of the net. The Bees’ second goal, scored late in the second half by Bryan Mbeumo, came from their only shot on target.
Chelsea’s little attacking threat in April means that their opponents always have a strong chance of taking victory. Lampard acknowledges that everything seems to be going against the team and that they would love a magic wand, a magic moment, but it doesn’t come in football. The Premier League moves so fast and is competitive, making it challenging for any team.
Chelsea’s third manager this season, Lampard, faces an uphill battle to turn things around for the club. The team’s loyal fans will continue to hope for better results and success.
