Bournemouth Sets Unwanted Record Yet Earns Respect in Brentford Draw

Bournemouth walked off with a point – and a Premier League record they never wanted. Four games, four leads, no wins. No team has ever started a season like that in the top flight.

The draw keeps them 15th, hovering uneasily above the early-season scrap, but the mood in the home camp was anything but flat. Rose, speaking after the final whistle, leaned into the positives rather than the statistics.

"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 told BBC Match of the Day, his side having once again done enough to feel they should have taken more than a single point.

Brentford, though, know this fixture well. A hard-earned draw stretches their unbeaten Premier League run against Bournemouth to nine matches, with five wins and four draws in that sequence, and it also mirrors their four-game unbeaten start from last season. Different campaign, same stubborn resilience.

Rose finds pride amid frustration

For all the irritation of another lead slipping away, Rose cut the figure of a coach who believes his side are close to something more convincing.

"Brentford is a tough opponent, they are good for second balls and have quite big guys and ballers as well," he said, underlining the physical and tactical challenge. "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."

That word – attitude – mattered. Bournemouth had to respond after falling behind for the first time this season, and they did. They pressed higher, kept the ball better, and forced Brentford to defend deep for long spells. The late collapse that has haunted so many sides in these situations never came.

The record will sting. The performance, less so.

Schade shines as Bees fall short of their level

On the other bench, Andrews knew his side had escaped with something they did not fully deserve, even as his forward delivered a standout display.

"I thought we could have done better. We did not hit the levels we set for ourselves," the Brentford boss admitted. "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 saving grace was Schade. Two goals, constant menace, and the kind of sharpness that changes tight games.

"He [Schade] was electric, he really has," Andrews said. "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."

So Bournemouth carry an awkward record into the next round of fixtures, while Brentford carry on unbeaten and still searching for their top gear. One side chasing a first win, the other chasing their true level. Which arrives first?