Levi Colwill issues damning Chelsea verdict as Blues 'bullied' by Brentford

Defensive woes on show again as Blues lose west London derby

Levi Colwill believes that Chelsea were “bullied” during their 3-0 defeat by Brentford.

The Blues fell to a heavy loss at the hands of their west London neighbours, with goals from Jaidon Anthony, Igor Thiago and Fabio Carvalho taking the Bees up to third in the Premier League table.

It leaves Xabi Alonso’s side without a clean sheet in the top flight all season, and they head into the international break off a winless run of three matches.

Their defensive woes were laid bare for all to see once more, as the visitors’ back three was ripped to pieces by a rampant home side, who made the most of their physical advantage from set plays, something that Brentford have been famed for since their promotion from the Championship.

Chelsea’s set piece coach Austin MacPhee, a prominent figure in the Blues’ technical area, could only watch on in horror as his side were let down by sloppy marking and beaten by players who simply wanted it more from the dead ball.

Colwill, who took on the captain’s armband in the absence of Reece James, was frustrated at the full-time whistle.

"It was tough,” he told Sky Sports.

Dejected: Emi Martinez and Levi Colwill

PA

“First of all, seeing the set piece, obviously we weren't the best. We tried to push and maybe overexpose ourselves, play some passes we shouldn't have and forced it.

"They hit us on the counter, which they're so good at, and got the second goal. The third goal really hit home and hurt.

"In the second half, we weren't good enough, obviously. We've got a lot to work on over the international break.

"We have not been good enough, at times we have been bullied and we need to improve at that, but we trust in out set-piece coach, we are still adjusting to new things, but we do need to improve as a team."

Vitaly Janelt admitted that the home side had “targeted’ their opponents from set-piece scenarios.

"We did target it at half time,” the German said.

“We had gone to the front post twice and then said there was a big gap at the far post. We targeted that and I think it was our first corner of the second half."

Chelsea’s next league outing is at home to Bournemouth, on October 10, giving Alonso a three-week stint to try and plug the gaps in his defensive unit, while MacPhee will have plenty to work on with his attacking and defending set-ups.