Alonso laments Chelsea’s inconsistency after 3-0 loss to Brentford

​Alonso also shared his captain’s sentiments, saying Chelsea were “bullied” by Brentford when defending set pieces.

​By Kehinde Okeowo

​Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has blamed his team’s defeat on a lack of consistency, admitting they lost control against Brentford during their 3-0 loss at the Gtech Community Stadium on Friday evening.

​The Spanish tactician made this known during his post-match press conference, where he also agreed with his captain, Levi Colwill, that the Blues were bullied at set pieces.

​Brentford won the London derby encounter convincingly, thanks to three second-half goals from Jaidon Anthony, Igor Thiago, and Fábio Carvalho.

​However, for Alonso’s Chelsea, the latest loss means they are on a three-match winless run in the Premier League, having lost to Arsenal and drawn with Hull prior to this defeat against Brentford.

​Speaking after the loss, Alonso stated that his team was not consistent enough to compete for a full 90 minutes, while also admitting they lost control and dropped their competitive mentality in the second half.

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​He went on to bemoan Chelsea’s game management during the highly physical and intriguing match.

​”I would say that we have dropped our consistency, our competitive mentality needed in the second half,” Alonso said.

​He added, “You know that the small details can be decisive. You don’t have to give an advantage in these kinds of games. But it’s about 95 minutes, and we have not been able to keep that level throughout these few games at the start of the season. It’s something that we’ll have to do better.”

​Also speaking after the defeat, defender Colwill told Sky Sports that Chelsea were being “bullied” at set pieces.

​He said, “It was tough. Maybe we overexposed ourselves [at 1-0 down] and they hit us on the counter-attack, which they’re so good at.”

​Sharing his captain’s sentiments, Alonso agreed, saying: “It’s not just set pieces, but in duels, defence, in build-up, and when we conceded first. Still, we were in the game, but when you lose shape, you are out of control.

​”So to be able to understand the game, to know what it takes to be competing until the end, is a process. It takes time for them to feel that. And at the moment, we are not feeling it fully to compete for the whole game.”