LONDON — A goal for Christian Eriksen, two from Vitaly Janelt and a late addition from Yoane Wissa earned Brentford a shock 4-1 comeback victory over west London neighbors Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday.
Chelsea center back Antonio Rudiger brought the game to life after a dull first half at Stamford Bridge when, three minutes after halftime, his screamer of a shot from about 35 yards flew in off the post.
Rudiger Goal Vs Brentford
RUDIGER SCREAMER!
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) April 2, 2022
But the European champions' lead lasted barely two minutes before Bryan Mbuemo put Janelt through to score.
Brentford with an almost immediate response to the Rudiger goal and we're level again at Stamford Bridge!
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Mbuemo then assisted Brentford's second with a pinpoint pass to Eriksen for the Dane to score his first goal for his new team in the 54th minute.
Christian Eriksen scores his first club goal since returning to soccer!
Brentford lead 2-1. There have been THREE Goals in the past 8 minutes!
: @USA_Network #MyPLMorning | #CHEBRE pic.twitter.com/yzvrBYHquj— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) April 2, 2022
Eriksen, whose career had been in doubt after he collapsed on the pitch during the European Championship last year, had also scored twice in two games for his country during the recent international break.
Janelt sent the away end of Stamford Bridge into raptures in the 60th minute with a looping shot from an Ivan Toney pass. Substitute Wissa put the icing on the cake in the 87th minute to condemn a lackluster Chelsea to their first home defeat since September.
Brentford with 3 unanswered goals to take a 3-1 lead!
That's 3 goals for Brentford in the last 11 minutes!
: @USA_Network #MyPLMorning | #CHEBRE pic.twitter.com/iX7x6HMeUr— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) April 2, 2022
Yoane Wissa makes an immediate impact after being subbed on and Brentford take a shocking 4-1 lead!
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) April 2, 2022
Chelsea remain third in the Premier League table, while Brentford moved up to 14th.
(Reporting by Clare Lovell; Editing by Hugh Lawson)