In a competitive opening 45 minutes, during which both sides fashioned clear chances, it was the Blues who broke the deadlock midway through the half. An attempted clearance from Michael Kayode struck Enzo Fernandez and rebounded to Joao Pedro, who instinctively controlled and fired home.

Brentford pushed hard in search of an equaliser and Robert Sanchez had to make a fine stop to deny Kevin Schade soon after the restart. That proved to be a key moment as, with 15 minutes to play, substitute Liam Delap won a penalty, which Palmer confidently converted.

From that point, the three points, thanks to solid defending across the pitch, were not in doubt as we got back to winning ways in the top flight.

Welcome returns

Rosenior made five changes to his starting XI. Captain Reece James and Tosin Adarabioyo returned to our defence, Moises Caicedo was back in the Blues' midfield after suspension, and Palmer and Alejandro Garnacho were included in the attack.

Brentford arrived unbeaten in their last six Premier League matches and they registered a shot on target inside the first minute: German forward Schade saw a shot deflected into the arms of Sanchez.

The Blues soon settled into the contest and looked to pick a way through a well-organised Brentford backline. We had a strong appeal for a penalty turned down when Kayode appeared to clip Joao Pedro inside the box – VAR didn't intervene – and Palmer whipped a shot clear of the crossbar.

Brentford carried a threat when they advanced and, in the 20th minute, came close to going ahead. Igor Thiago slipped a pass through to Schade, who evaded Trevoh Chalobah and looked to play in Igor Thiago. Tosin deflected the pass toward his own goal, Sanchez reacted well to save and James cleared.

Deadlock broken

That let off was one the Blues capitalised on as, from our next attack, we went ahead. There was an element of fortune about the goal as a Kayode clearance rebounded off Fernandez into the path of Joao Pedro. However, the Brazilian did excellently to react, control and lash a shot beyond Caoimhin Kelleher

Our celebrations were cut short by the assistant referee, who raised his flag. However, following a VAR review, Joao Pedro was shown to have been onside when the ball struck Fernandez. We had the lead.

However, Brentford were determined to wipe that out before the half-time interval and the visitors fashioned three good sights of goal.

Schade had the first from a corner; his attempted header came off his shoulder and flew wide. Then came a huge opportunity for Mathias Jensen following a clever flick from Mikkel Damsgaard. But, somehow, he skewed his volley against the post from six yards out.

The Dane then had another opportunity to volley at goal from Brentford's next attack and, while this time getting his effort on target, Sanchez was alert to save.

Almost a second

As half time approached, we fashioned an excellent opportunity to double our lead. Pedro Neto scampered down the Brentford left and fired a low pass into the six-yard box. Garnacho arrived at pace at the back post but, under pressure from Kayode, his left-footed attempt flew wide.

Brentford still had time to fashion one more opportunity. From a counter-attack, Igor Thiago intelligently squared a pass to Yehor Yarmoliuk. He had time to measure a shot but just as he released, Caicedo was across to make a fine block and ensure we went into the interval ahead.

A big Sanchez stop

The second half continued in the same vein as the first, with both sides looking dangerous in their respective final thirds. Pedro Neto fired high and wide for the Blues soon after the restart, before Schade was put through one-on-one with Sanchez.

The German forward was favourite to score, but his attempt to curl the ball around Sanchez was thwarted as the Chelsea goalkeeper flung out his left leg to deflect the shot wide. It was an excellent reflex stop.

Rosenior turned to his bench ten minutes after the restart. Wesley Fofana and Andrey Santos were introduced, with the injured Tosin and Garnacho replaced.

A scrappy period of the game followed. Brentford had a couple of attacks snuffed out by the Blues' backline – and Igor Thiago guided a header wide – while we were unable to fashion a clear opportunity at the other end.

To try to alter that, Rosenior introduced Liam Delap for our goalscorer, Joao Pedro. It was a change that had an immediate impact.

Lead doubled

As Brentford looked to build possession, Nathan Collins played a pass across the box to Kelleher, who miscontrolled and then clattered into Delap in his attempt to rectify the situation. A penalty was awarded and Palmer stepped up and rifled his spot-kick into the corner.

With a two-goal lead established, Rosenior made energy-preserving alterations as the game moved toward its conclusion: Josh Acheampong and Jorrel Hato were brought on for James and Fernandez.

Brentford continued to work hard to try to find a route back into the game, but the Blues defended well across the pitch. Seven minutes were added but a combination of clearances and wayward finishing meant Sanchez wasn't tested.

That ensured a winning start for Rosenior in the Premier League and our first three points in the top flight since December 13.

What it means

The victory moves us above Brentford into sixth in the Premier League table. We are just two points behind fourth-placed Liverpool.

What comes next

Our Champions League league phase campaign resumes on Wednesday evening, as we host Cypriot side Pafos at Stamford Bridge. Kick-off is at 8pm UK time.

The teams

Chelsea: Sanchez; James (c) (Acheampong 85), Chalobah, Tosin (Fofana 58), Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez (Hato 85); Neto, Palmer, Garnacho (Andrey Santos 57); Joao Pedro
Chelsea substitutes: Jorgensen, Badiashile, George, Delap, Guiu
Goalscorers: Joao Pedro 26, Cole Palmer 76 pen
Booked: Cucurella 67, Fofana 83, Palmer 90+2

Brentford: Kelleher, Ajer, Collins, Janelt, Kayode, Jensen, Yarmoliuk, Daamsgard (Ouattara 77), Henry (Hickey 82), Schade (Lewis-Potter 82), Igor Thiago
Brentford substitutes: Valdimarsson, Van Den Berg, Pinnock, Nelson, Donovan, Furo
Booked: Schade 36, Janelt 45+3

Attendance: To be confirmed