Chelsea looked poised to leap to the top of the Premier League table on Saturday night, but a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser from Brentford denied them victory.
Moises Caicedo’s brilliant 85th-minute strike had put the Blues ahead at the Gtech Stadium, only for Fabio Carvalho to snatch a 2-2 draw in the dying moments.
Garnacho’s Costly Error in His Debut
New signing Alejandro Garnacho made his Chelsea debut after joining from Manchester United for £40million over the summer.
The Argentine winger showed glimpses of promise when he was introduced in the second half alongside Cole Palmer, but his night ended on a sour note.
Jamie Redknapp singled out Garnacho as the key culprit for Brentford’s late equaliser, claiming he “fell asleep” at a crucial defensive moment.
The 21-year-old had the simple task of marking Carvalho at the back post during a long throw from Brentford.
Unfortunately, he was caught off guard, allowing Carvalho to pounce and level the score in stoppage time.
Redknapp dissected the play on Sky Sports, highlighting Garnacho’s lapse in concentration and the importance of maintaining focus in such high-pressure moments.
Redknapp Breaks Down the Equaliser
“They obviously made a few changes to chase the game,” Redknapp said.
“Carvalho comes on, Ajer comes on, and suddenly you’ve got another long thrower in Schade. The ball comes into the box, and Garnacho has a job to do—mark Carvalho.
It’s that simple. He falls asleep, and that’s how they get the goal.”
Despite this defensive blunder, Redknapp acknowledged the challenge Chelsea faced, with Brentford’s physical presence and tactical switches creating a difficult scenario for the Blues’ backline.
Chelsea’s Bright Moments
Garnacho did shine in attack, helping to build up Caicedo’s spectacular goal that had briefly put Chelsea in front.
Cole Palmer also impressed after coming off the bench, converting a first-time finish from Joao Pedro’s header to keep Chelsea in the game before the dramatic ending.
Blues Remain Undefeated
Even with the late disappointment, Chelsea remain unbeaten in the Premier League, currently sitting fifth after two wins and two draws from four matches.
Garnacho will be eager to make a strong impression at Stamford Bridge, especially with competition from Jamie Gittens, Estevao Williams, and Pedro Neto for wing positions.
Record-Breaking Move from Manchester United
Garnacho signed a seven-year deal on August 30, making him the most expensive academy graduate in Manchester United’s history, surpassing the £24.5m paid for David Beckham in 2003.
After a debut that mixed promise with a costly defensive error, all eyes will be on him to see how quickly he can adapt and earn Maresca’s trust in Chelsea’s starting lineup.