It wasn’t just a tactical battle on the pitch during Chelsea’s goalless draw against Brentford — the post-match exchanges between the two managers added a bit of spice to what was otherwise a tight contest in west London.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, speaking after the 0-0 draw, claimed the Blues were closer to winning the game. But Brentford head coach Thomas Frank wasn’t having any of it.

“We are all slightly biased as coaches,” Frank said with a smile, before delivering a rather poetic jab. “We definitely look at our side of the elephant. It’s probably difficult to look at the other side of the elephant — unless you are on top of it!”

Translation: Maresca might be seeing what he wants to see, but Thomas Frank believes they had the upper hand.

Frank went on to list five major chances he believed could have swung the result in Brentford’s favour — from Yoane Wissa’s header to Sepp van den Berg’s late opportunity. While the game lacked clinical finishing from both sides, it’s clear the Bees felt they were closer to nicking all three points.

From a Chelsea perspective, Maresca’s assertion that his side were more likely to win is understandable. The Blues had plenty of the ball, controlled possession for long spells, and showed glimpses of their attacking intent. But once again, the lack of a clinical edge in the final third proved costly.

If Frank’s “elephant” metaphor is anything to go by, Maresca might need to climb a bit higher to see the full picture. The Italian coach is right to highlight Chelsea’s progress in terms of structure and ball control, but results — especially against teams lower in the table — still speak loudest.

Thomas Frank said: “I thought we had the better opportunities in the first half. I felt the second half was more even.

“For me, maybe I am slightly biased, I saw five big chances to us. The [Yoane] Wissa header, the [Mikkel] Damsgaard chance, the Bryan [Mbeumo] shot on transition, the Keane [Lewis-Potter] header on a set piece, and of course Sepp’s [van den Berg] big header.

“So I think if there should have been a winner, it should have been us.

“But I thought it was an even game between two teams. I’m very happy with our performance against a top club who have spent a few quid on players over the last year or two.”

For Chelsea fans, the draw is another frustrating chapter in a season filled with inconsistency. The squad is talented and expensive, but the final product remains a work in progress. And while Maresca may believe his team deserved more, Thomas Frank’s grounded and cheeky response is a reminder that football — much like elephants — can look very different depending on where you’re standing.

Verdict: Brentford held their own, Chelsea lacked bite, and Maresca might need to work on his team’s tame attack.