Chelsea 'got the job done' against Brentford despite playing through 'illness', says Liam Rosenior

An illness has been making its way around the Blues’ squad, with some players complaining of chest pain against Brentford

Chelsea did not play “free-flowing football” in their 2-0 win over Brentford , with head coach Liam Rosenior admitting some players playing through illness explained why.

Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer scored their first goals of 2026 to earn Rosenior a first Premier League win as Chelsea head coach on Saturday.

Victory moved Chelsea up to sixth in the Premier League , leapfrogging Brentford , who had started the day above them in fifth.

The Bees had chances and hit the woodwork through Mathias Jensen, but Chelsea held on for victory and earned their first clean sheet of Rosenior’s reign.

“Brentford are a good team — a very good team,” Rosenior said.

“Very well organised. Very good without the ball, and really understand where they need to be with the ball.

“It was going to be a real test for us and sometimes you have to win the game in different ways. So for me, it's about winning. I've said that since I've come in.”

Liam Rosenior reacts during Chelsea’s hard-fought win over Brentford

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The Chelsea boss continued: “We didn't play the free-flowing football that I want us to in the end, but we got the job done and that's a really, really pleasing result for the players to give them and myself more confidence moving forward.”

Rosenior added that Estevao , who missed out entirely, was absent through the illness that has been “running through the squad”.

He said: “There were a few, I won't say who, but there were a couple of players playing today who were complaining about their chests.

“They put in a magnificent effort. I felt that's why we weren't good with the ball. I won't give you names, it's not right for me to do that, but I'm so happy with the attitude of the group to get through this game.”