Enzo Maresca makes Champions League admission in subtle warning to Chelsea stars

Enzo Maresca dismissed claims that Chelsea were suffering from Champions League distractions following Brentford's stoppage-time fightback to snatch a 2-2 draw at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Fabio Carvalho denied the Blues victory in the dying moments after they had bounced back from a sluggish first-half performance to take a 2-1 lead courtesy of an outstanding showing from substitute Cole Palmer.

The England star had been sidelined for two matches through injury and was kept on the bench with Wednesday's journey to Bayern Munich in mind, but came on to equalise on the hour mark, wiping out Kevin Schade's 35th-minute opener.

Moises Caicedo's thunderous late strike appeared to have secured all three points before Carvalho tucked home a dramatic leveller just moments after being introduced by Keith Andrews.

The contest visibly shifted once Maresca had implemented four substitutions between the 45th and 56th minutes, though he insisted Bayern had played no part in his considerations.

"Joao Pedro before the game told me he was not fit a hundred per cent, better he doesn't play," Maresca disclosed. "If I was thinking about Bayern Munich, Joao (would be) on the bench. But he played because the focus was about tonight. If we want to play again Champions League next season, we need to do well in the Premier League."

Facundo Buonanotte was an unexpected selection at number 10 in Palmer's absence. The Brighton loanee made an encouraging start to his Chelsea career with several incisive central bursts, though he lacked the decisive final ball needed to unlock Brentford's defence.

Everything shifted with Palmer's arrival on the pitch. What had been a desperate exercise in ball retention was suddenly transformed into a sharp, incisive attacking performance that had appeared well beyond Chelsea's reach.

Reece James also entered the fray at the interval, bringing the kind of experience this squad can still appear to lack at times, but simply having Palmer on the field - making his first appearance since the opening weekend as a 56th-minute replacement - seemed to rouse Chelsea from their slumber and instil genuine belief.

"Cole was not fit to play from the start," said Maresca. "That's from the medical staff, it's from the player. When we make a decision with an injured player it's from all of us. When he is fit we are very happy."

Ultimately though, the away side were left to rue a costly late collapse as they squandered the opportunity to claim top spot in the Premier League. "After we scored the second one we have to manage better," said Maresca. "We scored 85, 86. In that moment we needed to give passes, we needed to slow down."

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