Chelsea 1-4 Brentford: Player ratings as Eriksen nets in stunning Bees win
From Stamford Bridge - An incredible second-half performance saw Brentford come from behind to stun Chelsea 4-1, with Christian Eriksen among the scorers and Vitaly Janelt the two-goal hero.
Bizarrely, this thrashing at Stamford Bridge came on the anniversary of Chelsea's humbling 5-2 home defeat at the hands of West Brom on the same weekend last season.
The hosts seemed to be suffering something of an international hangover in the opening exchanges, giving the ball away on countless occasions and inviting pressure from the energetic Bees.
Ivan Toney went close three times in the first quarter of an hour, first looping a chip over the bar with the goal gaping after Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy had given the ball straight to him. The stopper was then forced to push the striker's low effort around the post before he headed another chance over two minutes later.
Chelsea eventually regained their composure, although they still struggled to create anything of note going forward. In fact, 21 minutes had passed before Mason Mount blasted a strike wide.
After Antonio Rudiger had flashed his customary pot-shot past the post, Hakim Ziyech had Chelsea's best chance of the half but his thumping effort was acrobatically denied by the flying David Raya.
The match exploded into life in the second half, with four goals flying in in the space of just 15 minutes. Rudiger broke the deadlock by finally getting one of those ridiculous long-range efforts right, sending the ball crashing in off the post from all of 35 yards.
But just a minute later the Bees were level through a fine strike from their very own German, with Janelt arriving on the edge of the box to ping a firm strike beyond the goalkeeper.
Incredibly, Brentford took the lead just moments afterwards, with Bryan Mbeumo leading a break before laying the ball on a plate for Eriksen, who gleefully lifted a finish over the exposed Mendy.
If Thomas Frank's side weren't already in west London dreamland, another excellent finish from Janelt propelled them there as he dinked a stranded Mendy to give Brentford an incredible two-goal cushion.
Kai Havertz thought he had pulled one back before twice coming within inches of actually doing so. The German was adjudged to have handled before smashing the ball into the roof of the net from a free kick, and then proceeded to prod and head two efforts just wide of Raya's post.
The hosts' misery was compounded with three minutes remaining when the ball dropped to substitute Yoane Wissa after some horrible defending, and he crashed the ball into the back of the net.
Like last season, Chelsea will hope this humbling by a newly promoted side is just a blip and that silverware lies in their future. The result leaves them five points clear of Arsenal in fourth, although the Gunners have a game in hand.
Here's how the players rated...
Chelsea player ratings
1. Goalkeeper & defenders
Edouard Mendy (GK) - 3/10 - Not at his best with his feet early on and fortunate not to be punished when he passed straight to Toney. Could perhaps have saved one of Janelt's goals.
Cesar Azpilicueta (RB) - 4/10 - Didn't play with his usual certainty and really struggled against Mbeumo.
Thiago Silva (CB) - 4/10 - Seemed to go missing for Brentford's leveller as he followed the ball instead of his man. Not at the level that we have become accustomed to.
Antonio Rudiger (CB) - 5/10 - Finally scored one of his customary pot-shots, and it was an absolute screamer - crashing in off the post from 35 yards. A little static as his compatriot netted a third and at fault for the fourth.
Marcos Alonso (LB) - 4/10 - Really sloppy start. His loose pass almost led to Mendy being chipped. Subbed for Reece James not long after the break.
2. Midfielders
Ruben Loftus-Cheek (CM) - 5/10 - Settled after a shaky start. Some good runs but not enough of an influence.
N'Golo Kante (CM) - 6/10 - Industrious as ever and had a lot of forward thrust. Unexpected assist for Rudiger before being sacrificed for a more attacking option.
Mason Mount (AM) - 5/10 - A bright spot for Chelsea in an otherwise poor first half. Continued to try to create after the break but ultimately couldn't make a difference.
3. Forwards
Hakim Ziyech (RW) - 5/10 - Thought he'd scored another stunner but denied by Raya. Really struggled against the brilliant Rico Henry.
Kai Havertz (CF) - 6/10 - So dangerous and perhaps deserved a goal, but it just wasn't his day. Somewhat harsh handball call denied him too.
Timo Werner (LW) - 3/10 - Self-admittedly isn't a winger. Looked uncomfortable again here - terrified to take any risks. Subbed.
4. Substitutes
Reece James (LB) - 5/10
Mateo Kovacic (CM) - N/A
Romelu Lukaku (ST) - 5/10 - Not able to have the desired effect.
Brentford player ratings
5. Goalkeeper & defenders
David Raya (GK) - 7/10 - Spectacular save to deny Ziyech's thumped effort. Not much he could do about the goal.
Kristoffer Ajer (CB) - 7/10 - Made a potentially goal-saving block to deny Werner. Battled well.
Pontus Jansson (CB) - 6/10 - Solid, winning plenty of aerial duels and passed well enough.
Ethan Pinnock (CB) - 6/10 - Some forceful challenges and struggled against Havertz at times, but not tested all that often.
6. Midfielders
Mads Roerslev (RWB) - 5/10 - Quieter than his colleagues but got through plenty of work down the right.
Christian Eriksen (CM) - 7/10 - Such a composed finish to put Brentford in front and into dreamland - his first goal since his comeback. What a story.
Vitaly Janelt (CM) - 9/10 - What a strike! Put his foot through the ball to leather Brentford onto terms. Brilliant late run and dinked finish to give the Bees an incredible two-goal advantage.
Christian Norgaard (CM) - 6/10 - Calm and kept things ticking over from the base of midfield.
Rico Henry (LWB) - 7/10 - Very tidy and supported the attack. An incredible touch to control a long kick out from Raya. Did very well against Ziyech defensively.
7. Forwards
Ivan Toney (ST) - 6/10 - Had three half-decent chances in the opening exchanges alone, including an open goal - although from range. Simple assist for Janelt's leveller.
Bryan Mbeumo (ST) - 8/10 - Didn't see the ball often but some nice touches when he did. Brilliant assists for both Eriksen and Janelt. Subbed.
8. Substitutes
Mathias Jensen (CM) - N/A
Yoane Wissa (LM) - 7/10 - Bagged a goal with basically his first touch, what more could you ask for?
Sergi Canos (LB) - N/A
For more from Krishan Davis, follow him on Twitter.