‘We managed to frustrate them,’ says Reggae Boy Pinnock
LONDON, England (CMC) — Reggae Boy Ethan Pinnock has praised Brentford’s organisation which led to their 2-0 victory over Chelsea in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge last weekend.
The 30-year-old centre back inspired a superb second-half performance by the visitors with a 58th-minute header, before Bryan Mbeumo scored late on to wrap up the points.
“It feels great,” said Pinnock who made his debut for Jamaica two years ago and has since earned eight caps.
“We knew it was going to be really tough because they’ve been playing really well these last few weeks. But, we stayed in the game, we stayed compact, and we managed to frustrate them.”
Pinnock praised fellow centre backs Kris Ajer and Nathan Collins, Brentford boasting a back three which stifled Chelsea’s attacking threat of Nicolas Jackson, Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer.
“Kris, Nath — the communication was good. We dealt with a lot of their danger,” Pinnock explained.
“As long as we’re all talking to each other, that keeps us focused and concentrated.
“We knew we’d be dangerous from set pieces and on the counter — and it’s worked out [for us].”
Chelsea enjoyed the better of the exchanges in the first half, Noni Mandueke striking the crossbar and Conor Gallagher and Marc Cucurella forcing saves out of goalkeeper Mark Flekken.
Pinnock, who joined Brentford four years ago from Barnsley, said the half-time team talk by Coach Thomas Frank proved critical.
“I think his major point [was] for us to have more belief in ourselves,” Pinnock said.
“We’d soaked up the pressure really well but he felt that in possession we could take care of the ball a bit better and be a bit braver.
“He just wanted to give us that little boost and that extra bit of belief — and we showed it [in the] second half.”
Pinnock’s goal was his first of the season and came from a slick move down the right, Bryan Mbuemo hanging a cross up at the back post for the six-foot, four-inch defender to sneak in, almost undetected, and finish powerfully from close range.
“We worked on the throw-in routine so it was just about holding my position and staying patient,” Pinnock said.
“As soon as I saw the flight of the ball from Bryan, I knew the defender was going to be a bit under it so it was just about timing and getting a good contact. Credit to Bryan — it was a great cross.”
Brentford lie 10th on 13 points.
