Chelsea saw their five-game winning run come to an end on Wednesday evening, with the Blues held to a goalless draw by an impressive Brentford in the Premier League.
The Bees had the better of the opportunities during an open match, but both goalkeepers - David Raya and Kepa Arrizabalaga - were in strong form, with the two teams forced to settle for a share of the spoils.
The result has left Chelsea in fourth spot in the Premier League table on 20 points, three points behind third-placed Manchester City, while Brentford remain ninth on 14 points.
Brentford had the first opportunity of the match in the ninth minute when the in-form Ivan Toney met a cross from the right, but Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa was on hand to make a smart save.
The Bees then had a penalty shout three minute later when Bryan Mbeumo went down inside the box under pressure from Ruben Loftus-Cheek, but the play was allowed to continue by the referee, with VAR also not interested in becoming involved in the situation.
Chelsea's first opportunity arrived in the 25th minute when Cesar Azpilicueta worked space down the right before delivering a dangerous cross towards Armando Broja, but the striker just failed to make contact.
Kepa did brilliantly to keep out a header from Toney in the 34th minute before Brentford stopper Raya did well to save from Azpilicueta, moments after Broja had missed the target.
There was an open feel to the match late in the first period, with Loftus-Cheek hitting the final opportunity over the crossbar, with the two teams level at the interval.
Brentford should have taken the lead early in the second half through a header from Mbeumo, but the striker placed his effort straight into the arms of Kepa, before Toney missed the target with a header of his own less than a minute later.
Christian Pulisic, Carney Chukwuemeka and Raheem Sterling were introduced for Chelsea just past the hour, but Brentford continued to look the side more likely to find the back of the net.
Raya did well to keep out a strike from Kai Havertz 20 minutes from time, before Toney was again denied by Kepa in the 82nd minute, with the two teams heading for a goalless draw.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had Chelsea's best chance in the final exchanges, but Raya was on hand to make the save, before the Brentford stopper kept out Pulisic and Chukwuemeka in stoppage time, with the points being shared in West London.
Matt Law
