Cole Palmer went close to a winner with the final kick of the game as the spoils were shared between Chelsea and Brentford in a 0-0 draw.

There was nothing to separate the teams in Sunday’s contest at Gtech Community Stadium, where Brentford kept a clean sheet in the Premier League for the first time this campaign.

Yoane Wissa went close for hosts in the third minute as Bryan Mbeumo volleyed a smart cross into the penalty area, but his fellow attacker could only drill a shot into the side netting.

The Bees ended the first half having fared better, with Mbeumo striking a shot past the post and Wissa turning provider for Mikkel Damsgaard, who fluffed a good chance from close range.

After an uninspiring first half, Chelsea were helped greatly by their attacking substitutes. Palmer, Nicolas Jackson and Pedro Neto provided a strong impetus in the final third for Enzo Maresca’s side, with Neto keeping Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken busy with successive shots around the hour mark.

Chelsea’s pedestrian first half – evidenced by their expected goals (xG) value of just 0.49 – saw them muster four shots to Brentford’s six. In the second half, however, the Blues came to life, adding 17 shots to the Bees' three, with an xG of 0.83.

After a flurry of half-chances at both ends, Palmer nearly stole the headlines with a sensational curling effort that whistled over the crossbar in the final moments.

Data debrief: Chelsea's road frustration rolls on

Chelsea have now failed to win any of their last eight away Premier League matches (three draws, five losses), scoring just three goals in total during that time. The Blues last endured a longer winless run on the road in the top flight between April 2000 and March 2001 (16 games).

In fact, across all competitions, they have managed just two wins in their last 10 away fixtures – both of which came in the Conference League.

This time out, they attempted 21 shots without scoring – their most without finding the back of the net in an away Premier League match since December 2017, when they had 25 shots against Everton at Goodison Park.

Chelsea ended the match with an xG of 1.32, while Brentford were not far behind with 1.22 xG. 

The two sides combined to create chances worth 2.54 xG in total – the third-highest tally of any Premier League game this season without either team scoring, after Everton v Newcastle United in October (2.72) and Crystal Palace v Manchester United in September (2.71).