Blues jeopardize their UCL chances as Maresca bench Palmer

Instead of pouncing on that Nottingham Forest's loss to Aston Villa yesterday, Chelsea disappointed their fans with a goalless draw at Brentford on Sunday afternoon.

This way, not only did Enzo Maresca's men fail to get inches away from third place, but they are also on the verge of dropping to fifth place. If Manchester City celebrate a win at Old Trafford later today, Pep Guardiola's side will return to fourth place, leapfrogging the Blues.

Maresca's idea to bench Cole Palmer was the wrong decision, as the Blues' offence lacked the necessary pace and versatility at Gtech Community Stadium.

On the other hand, Thomas Frank's lot once again proved they're not the team to underestimate, especially when playing against those top clubs. Moreover, just a tad bit of luck and better finishing from Mbeumo and Damsgaard could have pushed the Bees to a victory, which would be nothing short of deserved.

Nicolas Jackson was brought on for the second half for the visitors, coming on for wasteful Christopher Nkunku. However, despite making an immediate difference - as Chelsea looked much more dangerous in the second period - Jackson still could not find the decisive goal.

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 31

Saturday

Everton - Arsenal 1-1 (0-1)

/Ndiaye 49 (p) - Trossard 34/

Crystal Palace - Brighton 2-1 (1-1)

/Mateta 3, Munoz 55 - Welbeck 31/

Ipswich - Wolverhampton 1-2 (1-0)

/Delap 16 - Sarabia 72, Larsen 84/

West Ham - Bournemouth 2-2 (0-1)

/Fullkrug 61, Bowen 68 - Evanilson 38, 79/

Aston Villa - Nott.Forest 2-1 (2-0)

/Rogers 13, Malen 15 - Jota Silva 57/

Sunday

Brentford - Chelsea 0-0

Fulham - Liverpool 3-2 (3-1)

/Sessegnon 23, Iwobi 32, Muniz 37 - Mac Allister 14, Diaz 72/

Tottenham - Southampton 3-1 (2-0)

/Johnson 13,42, Tel 90+6 pen - Fernandes 90/

18:30: (3.45) Man.Utd. (3.50) Man.City (2.20)

Monday

22:00: (6.50) Leicester (4.30) Newcastle (1.50)

***odds are subject to change***