The Blues dominated the opening 45 minutes of today's encounter. Chance after chance was created, the closest of which saw Noni Madueke strike the crossbar with an excellent effort.

However, after the half-time interval, the Blues were made to pay for their profligacy as Ethan Pinnock headed Brentford ahead shortly before the hour mark. From that point on, it was a difficult afternoon.

The Bees sat deep, defended resolutely, and maintained a threat on the counter. And in the fourth minute of stoppage time, a Brentford break from a Chelsea corner allowed Bryan Mbeumo to seal victory for the visitors.

It meant another frustrating outing at Stamford Bridge for the Blues, something Pochettino highlighted in his post-match press conference.

'The analysis is clear because in the first half we should score and we didn’t score,' the Argentine said. 'That's easy. When you dominate and create chances, don't concede chances, and the opponent doesn't cross the halfway line, you should score.

'If you don't score, you need blame yourself. So we blame ourselves because we were not nasty and clinical in front of the goal. Sometimes you need some luck too and if that happens, it changes the game in the second half.

'We kept the belief even though we didn't score but in the second half we can't concede this type of goal. It is our mistake and that is why we lose the game.'

The defeat halted a four-game unbeaten run in all competitions for Pochettino's side. Yet the Chelsea head coach believes a response will be shown by his players in the matches to come.

'We have played Liverpool and Arsenal this season and the team did really well,' he said. 'When you see this type of game like today, or Nottingham Forest, we dominate but can't score goals when the block is so, so deep.

'There are many bodies inside the box and we struggle to score. But in different games, when we have played Arsenal or Liverpool, the team did really well. That is why we are not worried.

'We need to win on Wednesday [against Blackburn Rovers] and then prepare for the game against Tottenham.'