Trust the process, though with new frontiers of European football beckoning, 2,000 fans travelling to San Sebastián next week, there are grounds for concern on the home front. Winning positions have been surrendered in Marco Rose’s four Premier League matches. An unwanted carry-over from Andoni Iraola’s tenure cannot be allowed to worsen.
Brentford, still unbeaten, show the benefits of stability, sensible decision-making and familiarity, though in central defence, Andrews replaced the absent Nathan Collins with Jannik Schuster, a 20-year-old from the same Red Bull stable as Rose. A mark of football in 2026 is that Bournemouth and Brentford both feature a member of Brazil’s World Cup squad. Rayan, over 289 minutes, made a much greater impression in North America than the 63 minutes Igor Thiago received, but they continue to scratch around for form.
Another Brazilian, Evanilson, was far more impressive. Antonio Silva missing an early golden chance, heading wide a Marcus Tavernier free-kick with the goal gaping, was the first of many such moments for Bournemouth. On the sidelines, Andrews was in constant, terse dialogue with his assistants.
If Bournemouth’s high press is difficult to deal with, so too is Brentford’s brawn. With intensity levels high, first-half quality remained low, including an exchange of goals, both scruffy. First, Yehor Yarmoliuk faded a cross into the area for Kevin Schade to head in; Djordje Petrovic only able to deflect the ball off a post.
Bournemouth continued their miserable record against Brentford, a single win in 12 years, that the first leg of a Championship playoff semi-final which they eventually lost. Luck and precision were lacking, Rayan missing a verifiable sitter after Caoimhín Kelleher palmed the ball into his path. It was left to Justin Kluivert to equalise, capitalising on chaotic defending and a flat-footed Kelleher.
Alex Scott, usually so silky, blasting the ball into the car park suggested a second half of more thud and blunder only for Bournemouth to find genuine inspiration. Evanilson’s superlative control and layoff laid up Tavernier’s drilled finish. With Ryan Christie introduced to match up Mamadou Sangaré in midfield, Bournemouth pushed on, Brentford far less inclined to gamble for victory.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
