Saturday, April 2, 2022 at 5:52 PM• Mart Oude Nijeweeme • Last update: 18:05

Chelsea took a merciless beating in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon. Thomas Tuchel’s team was blown off the field at home by Brentford FC, which triumphed 1-4. Due to the victories of Liverpool (2-0) and Manchester City (0-2), the deficit on numbers one and two is now thirteen and fourteen points respectively. Christian Eriksen provided a golden edge on behalf of the visitors by shooting the 1-2 against the ropes ten minutes after the break. It is Chelsea’s first league defeat since January 15, when they lost to Manchester City.

Chelsea – Brentford FC 1-4
Tuchel’s team was the dominant party in the first company, although they did not succeed in expressing the dominance of the field on the scoreboard. Thanks in part to a great performance by goalkeeper David Raya, Brentford held on and became dangerous himself via Ivan Toney in the eleventh minute of play. His header from close range, however, went just over. the wall of the Bees was knocked out four minutes after the break. It was Antonio Rüdiger who had an amazing long shot and gave Chelsea the 1-0 lead. Within a span of five minutes, the match turned completely over.

† † † He puts his Brentford ahead 2-1 over visiting Chelsea ??#ZiggoSport #PremierLeague #CHEBRE pic.twitter.com/qjqCs7IBmK

— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) Apr 2, 2022

Two minutes after the opening goal, Vitaly Janelt equalized. The midfielder beautifully shot in after a successful cross pass from Bryan Mbeumo: 1-1. In the 54th minute, Brentford, who had less possession but was extremely effective, took the lead. After a quick switch, Mbeumo put the ball wide on Eriksen, who was given time to choose a corner and scored convincingly: 1-2. The damage continued to increase the Blues, who after exactly an hour of play were 1-3 behind. Again Janelt was accurate: 1-3. Although Chelsea continued to look for the connecting goal, it was no longer found. On the contrary. Three minutes before the end of regular time, the final score was determined by substitute Yoane Wissa: 1-4.

Burnley v Manchester City 0-2
With Wout Weghorst and Nathan Aké in the starting lineup, Burnley and City started meeting at Turf Moor. It became clear early in the game that there was little honor to be gained for the home team, as the ball was in the net after only five minutes of play. After a smart pass from Rodri, Raheem Sterling put the ball on a silver platter for Kevin De Bruyne, who did not hesitate and lashed out in his anniversary game: 0-1. The Belgian midfielder kicked off for the 200th time in a Premier League match against City. Burnley was unable to make a fist against Pep Guardiola’s team and had to swallow the second goal halfway through the first half.

After a smooth combination on the right side of the field between Sterling and De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan suddenly hit the target. Goalkeeper Nick Pope had no chance at all, partly because teammate Kevin Long slightly changed direction in front of him. City dominated almost the entire game and had opportunities to expand the score in the second half. Gabriel Jesus, however, was unlucky in the finish and hit the left post ten minutes before the end. Next Tuesday, Guardiola’s team will face Atlético Madrid in the quarterfinals of the Champions League. The return is a week later.

† † † † † A quick lead for Manchester City?? How much will it be? †#ZiggoSport #PremierLeague #BURMCIA pic.twitter.com/0KqJ3g2187

— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) Apr 2, 2022

Leeds United v Southampton 1-1
Leeds United were eagerly looking for points at home against Southampton to get further out of the relegation spots. It was therefore the home team that took the lead via Jack Harrison. The Englishman was attentive after Southampton keeper Fraser Forster did not process a cross from Raphinha properly. Southampton tied the score shortly after the break with an unparalleled free kick by James Ward-Prowse. The midfielder is the player with the most free kicks in the Premier League (13) after David Beckham (18). The English free kick specialist curled the ball next to the wall in the top right corner and left Illan Meslier without a chance. Both teams failed to score in the remainder of the game.

Wolverhampton Wanderers – Aston Villa 2-1
Wolverhampton Wanderers got off to a great start in its own Molineux. After John McGinn lost the ball, João Moutinho passed the ball to Daniel Podence. The attacker’s shot was blocked, as was the subsequent shot by Fábio Silva. Wingback Jonny was on the third try of the Wolves successful with his long shot and outsmarted Emiliano Martinez. After some chances back and forth, Wolverhampton fortunately took a double lead with an own goal from substitute Ashley Young. The Englishman, who had come in for Lucas Digne, who had dropped out with an injury, wanted to clear a cross from Fernando Marçal, but unfortunately shot into his own goal. Villa scored the connecting goal five minutes before the end via a penalty from Ollie Watkins, but was unable to produce the equalizer in the remainder of the match.