A west London rivalry is born: Chelsea’s first game against BrentfordChelsea and Brentford first met in the top flight almost 90 years ago, on November 23, 1935. Brentford, newly promoted, visited Stamford Bridge for the inaugural west London top-tier derby. Chelsea won 2-1, overcoming a first-half penalty to score twice in quick succession after the break. Brentford finished a surprising fifth that season, while Chelsea ended eighth. Brentford’s top-flight stay lasted five seasons, returning only in 2021.
