Bournemouth 0 – 0 Brentford

Bournemouth extended their unbeaten run in the Premier League to four games after a stalemate with Brentford at the Vitality Stadium.

Chances were at a premium for both sides in their first top-flight meeting, although the hosts may have felt unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty in the first half.

Jordan Zemura burst onto the ball and looked to be tripped by Kristoffer Ajer’s flailing leg, but referee Thomas Bramall decided to stick with his original decision despite being referred to the pitchside monitor.

Brentford had the better of the few opportunities in front of goal but Ivan Toney could only fire over the crossbar from close range after Josh Dasilva’s cushioned pass.

The Cherries have now failed to score in their last three home games, despite stretching their unbeaten run to four games for the first time since October 2018.

The hosts remain 12th in the table, while the visitors, who made extended their unbeaten run away from home to three games, drop down to 10th.

These sides were playing each other in League Two 13 seasons ago, so the fixture shows the progress made by both clubs.

But this game was lacking in Premier League quality.

Bournemouth came into the game having scored two goals at home this season, with only West Ham, who have played one game less, finding the net on fewer occasions.

They struggled again in front of the goal and ended the game with just one shot on target.

But they will rue what could have been if the referee had decided to overturn his decision on the first-half penalty appeal.

Brentford was comfortably beaten by Arsenal in their last outing but a first away clean sheet in the Premier League for more than a year will be pleasing.

Toney, fresh from his recent England call-up, looked sharp, but he will be disappointed with his late finish that could have claimed the success.

He beat the offside trap to latch onto Dasilva’s ball over the top of the Bournemouth defence but, as the away end erupted in anticipation for the net to bulge, the ball sailed high and wide.

source – BBC