Bournemouth Sets Unwanted Record as Brentford Extends Unbeaten Run
Bournemouth walked off with a point, a hint of relief – and a slice of Premier League history they never wanted.
The draw leaves them 15th and makes them the first side in the competition to lead in each of their opening four fixtures without winning any of them. Four fast starts, no victories. It is a pattern that now defines their start to the season.
Even so, Rose chose to lean into the positives. Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, the Bournemouth boss highlighted the way his players dug in when the script flipped on them.
"We were behind for the first time this season, we reacted well, and lucky me, we didn't concede a late goal. We had more chances, more possession, we were the best team," he said, underlining both their control of the game and the nagging frustration that it brought them only a draw.
He knew exactly what they were up against.
"Brentford is a tough opponent, they are good for second balls and have quite big guys and ballers as well. I liked how we competed, the way we defended in most situations. I like the way we attacked, our attitude. We were unlucky in a couple of situations, so we just get a point."
So Bournemouth collect another single point, and Brentford quietly extend a run that is starting to feel ominous for the Cherries.
Nine and Counting for the Bees
For Brentford, this was not sparkling, but it was stubborn. A hard-earned draw stretches their unbeaten Premier League record against Bournemouth to nine matches, with five wins and four draws in that sequence. The result also mirrors their four-game unbeaten opening from last season, a familiar, steady launch to a campaign.
It did not fully satisfy Andrews. The Bees head coach cut a measured figure as he assessed a performance that never quite hit the heights he demands, even as his two-goal forward lit up the contest.
"I thought we could have done better. We did not hit the levels we set for ourselves," he admitted. The standard at Brentford has shifted; scraping by is no longer enough.
They had to wrestle with Bournemouth’s intensity and shape all afternoon.
"We come to a difficult place. They play a very specific way, and it was difficult to deal with at times. Equally, we did not make life easier for ourselves by certain things we were doing. Overall, I think it's a point game."
The point felt earned rather than stolen. Bournemouth’s aggression, Brentford’s resilience, and a game that never quite tilted decisively either way.
At the heart of Brentford’s threat stood Schade, the forward Andrews singled out with clear delight.
"He [Schade] was electric, he really has. The second he has come back in pre-season, the way he has attacked everything. He's in a good rhythm with his game. He looks very free at the moment, so long may that continue."
Bournemouth leave with a record they will want to shake off quickly. Brentford leave with their unbeaten run intact and a forward in full flow. Which of those trends breaks first will say plenty about where both seasons are heading.
