Chelsea were held to a goalless draw by Brentford as their hopes of securing a Premier League top four position suffered another setback.
The Blues entered the match knowing that victory would be important in their battle for Champions League qualification.
However, Chelsea struggled to find a breakthrough against a well organised Brentford side.
The 0-0 draw meant both teams had to settle for a point after a closely contested encounter.
For Chelsea, the result was frustrating because they needed maximum points to strengthen their position among the league’s leading clubs.
The race for European qualification remained highly competitive, making every dropped point increasingly significant.
Brentford could take satisfaction from keeping a clean sheet against a Chelsea team containing several talented attacking players.
Their defensive organisation helped frustrate Chelsea throughout the match.
Chelsea will now need to respond quickly in their next fixtures if they are to remain firmly in contention for a Champions League place.
The team’s inability to convert opportunities into goals will also be an area requiring attention.
The draw leaves the Blues with more work to do during the final stages of the campaign.
