You don't see this too often: Chelsea beat stubborn Bees in their first top-division clash since 1947

Sir Winston Churchill is the opposition leader. Great Britain is recovering from a dreadful Second World War. Chelsea meet Brentford in another London derby of the England top division...

Those were the headlines back in 1947, the last time the Blues and the Bees confronted each other in the highest rank of the English football hierarchy.

What a battle that was... Ruben Loftus-Cheek of Chelsea is fouled by Frank Onyeka of Brentford (©Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Exactly 74 years later, after more than seven decades-long hiatus, the two sides met again, this time in the Premier League matchday eight tie. All these years, Chelsea were much better compared to their red and white city rivals, but they had to prove it now in a direct clash. And they did it, despite a lineup that was comprised of many regulars subs because many of Thomas Tuchel's men are injured or sidelined due to a Covid-19.

In truth, Brentford proved themselves as a stubborn, disciplined slot that knows how to fight those London derbies (won against Arsenal and West Ham, draw against Crystal Palace). Moreover, they had a splendid chance 20 minutes into the game against the Blues, but the right post saved Mendy and Chelsea.

The Champions League winners struggled to create any chances, let alone find the back of the net for most of the first half, but their luck changed in a stoppage time. While the Bees were flying around Lukaku, shy Ben Chillwel was left totally unmarked in the middle of the box, leaving him in a perfect position to place one lousy clearance straight into the back of the net for 1-0.

The second half was much quiet than the first period, with Lukaku failing to kill the game with 20 minutes to go, but his shot went wide. Shockingly enough, this was his fourth goalless EPL game in a row.

It was, at the same time, a signal for the hosts to give that last push. Unfortunately for the Bees, the unplayable Mbeumo hit the post again when the entire stadium almost saw it going in.

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But what about the one ten minutes before the end. Chelsea were literally on the ropes, with Canos picking up the ball totally unmarked on the right flank. His volley was immense, but Mendy stepped up as the saviour, saving that one and Chalobah clearing it from the goal line a few seconds later.

SUPERMENdy (©Clive Rose/Getty Images)

The underdogs were not up to surrender, with a defender Jansson hitting Mendy's head with the ball in what should have been a sure equaliser.

Finally, it was an injury-time when Brentford player Norgaard tried with a scissor kick, but Chelsea custodian was inexplicably magnificent again.

PREMIER LEAGUE - ROUND 8

Saturday

Watford - Liverpool 0-5 (0-2)

/Sane 6, Firminho 37,52,90+1, Salah 54/

Aston Villa - Wolverhampton 2-3 (0-0)

/Ings 48, McGinn 68 - Saiss 80, Coady 85, Neves 90+5/

Norwich - Brighton 0-0

Man. City - Burnley 1-0 (1-0)

/Silva 12, De Bruyne 70/

Southampton - Leeds 1-0 (0-0)

/Broja 53/

Leicester - Man. Utd 4-2 (1-1)

/Tielemans 31, Soyuncu 78, Vardy 83, Daka 90+1 - Greenwood 19/

Brentford - Chelsea 0-1 (0-1)

/Chillwel 45/

Sunday

16:00: (2.65) Everton (3.30) West Ham (2.90)

18:30: (3.60) Newcastle (3.50) Tottenham (2.15)

Monday

22:00: (1.70) Arsenal (3.80) Crystal Palace (5.70)