A time when these clubs were Third Division mainstays may be a distant, chintzy memory now that both are upwardly mobile, model organisations but Bournemouth have still not beaten Brentford in the Premier League. For the south-coast club with very different horizons in 2025, this was a most costly defeat.
If Thomas Frank’s hopes of taking his team into Europe already relied on a collision of coefficients, coincidences and collapses then Bournemouth’s fade has come at a bad time. To repeat the pattern of their recent slide, Andoni Iraola’s team lost their early flow and were then sunk by the set-piece expertise that brought goals for Yoane Wissa and Christian Nørgaard. “Small margins,” said Iraola. “But when that’s happening in every game, we need to improve in both boxes.”
Bournemouth’s fourth defeat in six Premier League matches was Brentford’s fifth successive away victory. Untimely for Bill Foley, Bournemouth’s highly ambitious owner, who spoke this week of planning for continental competitions. The declaration in the matchday programme that he will not stand in the way of players wanting to leave, accompanied by “we can compete salary-wise with just about anybody”, was aimed at circling Big Six vultures.
“We gave it away so easily,” said Dean Huijsen, one of those key assets. “It can’t be that easy to score set pieces like that against us.”
Though both teams are known for fast starts, Bournemouth began playing Total Football, Dorset style. The equally coveted Milos Kerkez, previous mullet close-cropped, tried an early shot and Huijsen strode forward from defence, his shot deflected. The home fans were soon accusing Brentford of slowing play. Not that there is a lack of grit within Bournemouth. They entered the weekend third-placed on yellow cards collected, having committed the most fouls of any Premier League team. The tactical foul is no stranger to the Vitality.
Brentford, second-bottom in fouls, last for yellow cards, are committed – fully – to attack. Where earlier this season that brought supremacy at home, it is away from the Gtech that they now excel. “I like this kind of team, I enjoy playing against them,” said Wissa of the vanquished opponents. “We suffered a lot, especially in the second half.”
Frank, keen to remind everyone of his own small club’s achievements, said: “I think it was the first time in a long time where it was an even game and we edged it, so I’m really pleased. This is our 50th Premier League win and there’s only 10 clubs who have done this quicker than us. That’s crazy. Taking it into consideration, our journey, our size, I think that’s a day we should be proud of.”
Soft-centred defending has cost Brentford all season long. Bournemouth’s goal came easily, by Brentford’s own hand, the shoulder of Vitaly Janelt to be precise, after Antoine Semenyo had released Kerkez on the underlap to cross.
Brentford’s Premier League legacy has been returning set pieces to prominence. It was Keith Andrews, special-teams coach, who Wissa celebrated with after nodding his equaliser from Bryan Mbeumo’s corner. Kepa Arrizabalaga’s missed punch had played its part.
“Keith is doing a very good job, the players are doing a very good job and the coaching around is very good,” said Frank. “Set pieces are crucial and they won us the game today.”
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Semenyo crashed a header against the crossbar almost as soon as the second half began. Such urgency reflected Bournemouth’s was the greater need, Iraola wishing in vain to avoid slips such as defeats to Wolves and Brighton and last week’s two-goal comeback from Tottenham.
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“It’s a shame because while we are in a bad run of results, I see my team doing very good things,” said Iraola. “We are not efficient.” His team’s winter surge has brought pressures novel to manager, club, fans and players. There were frustrations whenever Brentford blocked off passages to goal. Fatigue among a squad that has ridden out an injury crisis and the nervous energy associated with those pressures are now having a lag effect. Marcus Tavernier picking up a yellow for one of those tactical fouls when hauling back Wissa suggested mounting tension.
Then came the setback that some wobbly defending had suggested was always possible. With Andrews advising, Kevin Schade launched a throw. Bournemouth defenders dithered as the ball bounced. Nørgaard crashed home to puncture a hole in their hopes and expectations.
