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A frantic London derby built on instinct and naturally triggered emotions Marc Cucurella back into the limelight. Enzo Maresca refuses to admit Chelsea as title contenders but for large periods, amid such intensity from Thomas Franco’s excellent Brentford, they pushed on and eventually held on for a precious win, closing the gap on leaders Liverpool to just two points as the Reds kept a game in hand.
But the Spaniard was the protagonist here as well. He was huge and involved in everything the Blues did well, including a diving header to break the half-time deadlock. But just as memories fade his farcical mistakes at Tottenhamthis dynamic display received a late blemish as Cucurella was sent off at the final whistle following an unnecessary altercation with Kevin Schade, meaning he will now miss next week’s game against Everton.
But before the late drama, Cucurella provided more evidence of how he had completely transformed his game as well and helped the Blues quickly establish themselves as title contenders under Maresco, despite the Italian’s unwillingness to accept it.
It was his perfectly timed sprint into the box and a brilliant finish that broke this game open. But his industry rather ensured the hosts maintained their exhausting pace to eventually break down the Bees and take the lead at the break.
This new role under Maresco sees Cucurella keep the Blues knocking in possession; The ‘left back’ is rarely in the conventional part of the pitch. Instead, the Spaniard could be seen here changing the pitch and orchestrating attacks at every opportunity, creating a back-up man to provide overloads for Brentford’s constant maneuvering on Sunday night.
“He was superb on and off the ball. Fantastic, we are satisfied with him and his performance tonight”, said a delighted Maresca afterwards.
With Brentford so industrious out of possession and often seen marking a man, Maresca’s Chelsea relied on Cucurella to create overlaps, run into space after every combination and even position himself close to centre-forward Nicolas Jackson, creating even more passing lanes when the Bees pulled back.
During the game, Cucurella progressed to three different positions; left-back, in midfield, forming a three with Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caiceda, then in an advanced role right next to Brentford’s backline, which proved decisive when Noni Madueke dipped inside to deliver that tantalizing, swinging cross.
The goal epitomizes his immediate impact on the team. From last season’s peripheral and, at times, error-prone inclusion, his starring role here was further proof that he has not only become valuable, but is now one of Premier Leaguethe most outstanding players.
Chelsea were impressed with the ball, but Cucurella enjoyed his duties without it, with his reaction every time the visitors pinched possession showing his furious recovery speed. He could be seen chasing Mads Roerslev when Brentford dared to play from the back to the right, limiting their bite on the break.
But if Cucurela’s skill and tactical intelligence have seen him prove vital to Maresca’s tactical plan, it is his personality that also creates a nuisance for the opposition. His theatrics after a late free-kick earned the Bees a foul to bring the hosts closer to full-time, much to Franco’s annoyance.
“I think Cucurella is a top player,” Frank said. “He’s doing well. But I don’t like when players go to the ground and hold their faces. I will say that to Cucurella because I have the utmost respect for him.”
Brentford’s resilience saw them threaten to grab an unlikely point after Bryan Mbeum’s late strike responded to Jackson’s diving and clinical near-post finish to beat Mark Flekken.
And that frantic finale, with Cucurella’s emotions spilling over after the final whistle, left Marescu unsatisfied and reiterating his stance on Chelsea’s title credentials.
“I don’t think we are ready to compete in the title, they know how to compete in the title, they won’t concede the goals we concede,” said Maresca. “I think they know how to win titles, that’s why they don’t agree.
“That is one of the reasons why I say we are not ready to win titles. If you don’t believe me, I told you, I’d love the pressure to compete. But we are not ready, for many reasons, we cannot concede the goals we conceded and open the game for them to take a point.”