Jamie Redknapp says Brentford signing of ex-Liverpool star a 'masterstroke' after dramatic Chelsea draw
Jamie Redknapp was full of praise for Brentford after their 2-2 draw with Chelsea on Saturday night
Brentford scored in second-half stoppage time to earn a draw with West London rivals Chelsea in a dramatic contest at the G-tech Community Stadium.
Kevin Schade scored in the 35th minute to put the Bees in front before Cole Palmer came off the bench for the Blues and scored just after the hour. Chelsea pushed for a second but Brentford held on with Caoimhin Kelleher making one stunning stop to deny Palmer a second goal.
Moises Caicedo rifled in a stunning strike from the edge of the box with five minutes of normal time remaining and that looked to have been enough for all three points. However, in the third minute of stoppage time, Brentford substitute Fabio Carvalho tapped home from close range after Chelsea could not deal with a long throw.
New signing Alejandro Garnacho let Carvalho run free with the ex-Liverpool and Fulham man given space to finish from close range.
Jamie Redknapp hails Jordan Henderson signing
Brentford’s first goal was made by summer signing Jordan Henderson. The ex-Liverpool man provided a beautiful pass to Schade from inside his own half to set the forward free. Schade kept his cool to keep enough distance from defender Tosin Adarabioyo and fire in for the opener.
Speaking after the game, former Liverpool and Tottenham midfielder Jamie Redknapp said live on Sky Sports that the signing of Henderson was “masterstroke”.
He said: “I thought Brentford were magnificent. It would have been a travesty had they not got something out of the game. They never gave up.
“I thought Jordan Henderson in midfield... it was a masterclass. The energy and organisation he showed, he was absolutely brilliant. For Brentford to sign him is a masterstroke.”
Redknapp was also keen to praise other members of the Brentford squad who played a key part in the result.
He added: “I can only think of Bournemouth who have been decimated more by the loss of important players leaving.
“With Brentford, you have lost goals, leaders in the team, your captain. Now this is an opportunity for the new breed. Schade is going to be a really good player. Defensively Collins is a going to be a leader of men, he is so important to that team.
“And Fabio Carvalho, I saw him in the summer in Portugal and he was doing a pre pre-season and he was working hard and doing extra because things have not gone his way since he left Fulham. He won't want to be a sub but it shows the importance of the squad. It is a massive point for them.”
Brentford showing signs of improvement under Keith Andrews
Brentford were beaten 2-1 by Sunderland ahead of the international break but looked an impressive and cohesive unit against big-spending Chelsea. The Bees were worthy of their point and while they defeated Aston Villa 1-0 back in August, this is the biggest result they have had under new manager Keith Andrews so far.
The Bees have lost several important players this summer but took the game to Chelsea on Saturday and if they continue in that vain, any suggestion of them being in a relegation battle this season will quickly disappear.