Bournemouth and Brentford give no quarter in this promotion-chasing match. Bournemouth started like a train and should have gone ahead in the opening minutes, had Solanke got a better connection on his first shot that was cleared off the line. He made up for it though getting on the end of a classic Bournemouth move with Lloyd Kelly providing the assist. Brentford were always dangerous though and while their forwards were keeping Begovic busy, it was Dalsgaard who headed them level from a corner before half-time. It was a tight game and while Bournemouth had been given a big rest before the game it didn't pan out in their favour. A big cross from Mbeumo was headed in at the far post by the sub, Fosu-Henry, and the Cherries couldn't fashion an opportunity like they had made in the first half.
Jason Tindall decided to keep the starting line-up unchanged again. Josh King finally made it back to the bench and Bournemouth had a very attacking bench with three strikers and two wingers amongst it.
Match Description
Bournemouth almost have the dream start with Lerma getting on the ball and drilling a pass to Solanke. Solanke passes Raya in goal, but Jansson somehow managed to get back to clear the ball off the line.
Brentford's response is a weak shot from Ivan Toney from outside the box. Solane is very lively and Billing almost gets him in again, but the Cherries merely get a corner. Brentford counter well with Dalsgaard, but his cross doesn't find anyone.
It's all action with Solanke being blocked and from Bournemouth's corner it's Brentford that attack with money shooting wide again. Jensen also fires wide.
Bournemouth are giving as good as they get with Brooks being blocked from close range after good work from Billing. Bournemouth are racking up the corners.
Mbeumo gets the better of Kelly and gives Brentford a corner. Canos goes close with a shot running across the edge of the box before shooting inches wide. Janssen goes close again with a free kick which Begovic saves at the near post. Begovic has to save again from Canos at the near post.
Bournemouth take a breather. The movement is amazing goal with Stanislas moving the ball well and Lewis Cook drives a cross into the six-yard box and Solanke makes the run to make it 0-1on 25 minutes.
Janelt gets along the backline but Simpson eventually gets the clearance in. Mbeumo puts a dangerous cross in but it's too strong.
Billing blocks well. Brentford are keeping possession. Simpson makes a great block and Begovic has to get don to hos right to save from Mbuemo, corner. Brentford have equalised from the corner with Dalsgaard ut leaping Lerma at the near post.
Stanislas is pulled back Dalsgaard but the ref lets it go. Lewis Cook has been booked for showing a Brentford player. Stanislas keeps asking the question of Brentford's defence. Jensen has a strike wide from distance.
Second half
Bournemouth get the first corner of the second half. It's Brentford that are coming forward though and Canos shoots wide.
A long ball down the centre from Lerma almost gets Solanke in. Canos cuts inside and goes across the box but shoots well over. Solanke is blocked and the ball comes out to Brooks but the shot is saved.
Toney brings down Solanke on the break. Canos is subbed for Fosu. Lewis Cook is of and Josh King is on after 69 minutes. King goes straight for goal but Raya makes a comfortable save.
Bournemouth are pushing for the win now. Lerma finds Stanislas who is blocked then Brooks is sent through and his pull back is cleared. Brentford are defending deeper now. Lerma's influence is getting stronger on the game. He picks out Solanke with ease.
Brooks is upended and Brentford are allowed to play on with Toney racing to goal but he is offside. Brentford attack again with Toney putting it out wide to Mbeumo and his cross is headed in by Fosu-Henry at the far post - 2-1 to Brentford on 79 minutes.
Brooks is subbed for Surridge on 83 minutes. Lerma drives a wild shot over. Ghodoss is on for Mbeumo and Gosling replaces Lerma on 89 minutes.
Four minutes of added time. Bournemouth have been caught out, they are all up field. Toney breaks and squares to Jensen but Begovic saves well. Ghodoss has a shot saved.
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Summary
It was a brisk game and Bournemouth will feel they should have made the most of their early chances. Brentford hit back well when they had the opportunity and they hustled and fought for every ball. There needed to be a bit more cleverness from Bournemouth's players. They didn't have it and resorted by getting into scrappy tussles, rather than concentrating on quality play. It should be a lesson to the players that they have to fight with more killing instinct in the last third, and there were a few players that simply are not quite excelling as much as might be expected. I'll let you guess who but the ratings may give you an indication. It says it all when my man of the match was Asmir Begovic. Jason's subs also didn't do anything to raise the tempo and perhaps putting two subs on when King came on could have given the team more of a reminder that levels were not as high as they could be.
AFCB
Begovic 8, Smith 6, S Cook 6, Simpson 6, Kelly 5, Brooks 5, Lerma 7, Billing 7, L Cook 7, Stanislas 5, Solanke 7
Cherry Chimes' MoM: Begovic.
Brentford: 1 Raya, 22 Dalsgaard, 18 Jansson, 5 Pinnock, 3 Henry, 27 Janlet, 14 Dasilva (Marcondes 81), 8 Jensen, 19 Mbeumo (Ghodoss 89), 7 Canos (Fosu-Henry 64), 17 Toney
Brentford Subs: Daniels, Thompson, Emiliano, Forss, Ghodoss, Fosu, Sorensen, Golbert, Stevens
Chimes Newsletter - out tomorrow!Cherry Chimes' January Newsletter brings you the best stories on the blog and the thoughts behind them from last month. The newsletter has a special story - It's hard not to get excited about the Cherries' position
