Carvalho’s Late Strike Denies Chelsea Top Spot in Premier League

Chelsea squandered the chance to climb to the Premier League summit as Fabio Carvalho’s 93rd-minute equaliser earned Brentford a 2-2 draw in Saturday’s west London derby.

Manager Enzo Maresca’s experimental line-up backfired early, with Kevin Schade putting the Bees ahead after 35 minutes, finishing clinically from Jordan Henderson’s pass.

The Blues fought back after halftime, sparked by substitute Cole Palmer on his return from injury. The England international levelled five minutes after coming on, before Moisés Caicedo’s thunderous strike looked set to seal victory.

But Brentford’s relentless threat from long throw-ins paid off in stoppage time when Carvalho was left unmarked to tap home Kristoffer Ajer’s flick-on.

Chelsea stay unbeaten but sit fifth in the table, one point behind Arsenal, Tottenham, Bournemouth and Liverpool. Maresca, with one eye on Wednesday’s Champions League trip to Bayern Munich, may regret his initial selection.

Debutant Jorrel Hato endured a difficult first Premier League start, while Wesley Fofana lasted just 45 minutes in his season debut. Facundo Buonanotte and Jamie Gittens failed to impress in attack, leaving Chelsea chasing the game.

Brentford, who lost Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo this week—together responsible for 39 league goals last season—looked to Schade to step up. The German delivered with his first strike of the campaign, cutting inside Tosin Adarabioyo before firing low past Robert Sánchez.

Maresca responded at the break, sending on Marc Cucurella, Reece James and Tyrique George. George tested Caoimhín Kelleher, but it was Palmer’s entrance on 56 minutes that transformed Chelsea.

Palmer pounced after João Pedro headed down Enzo Fernández’s cross to level, then nearly doubled his tally moments later, only to shoot straight at Kelleher.

Caicedo eventually gave Chelsea the lead, lashing home from distance after Alejandro Garnacho’s cross was cleared. Yet Garnacho’s lapse in stoppage time allowed Carvalho to strike late, leaving Chelsea with only a point.

The result lifts Brentford to 12th with four points from four matches.