NEVER mind the egg-chasing taking place down the road at Twickers, Brentford is the only place to go in west London for sporting entertainment.
The home fans left in raptures after Thomas Frank‘s side stole a five-goal thriller after twice going behind, but not even the most one-eyed Bournemouth fan could moan at the thrills and spills they had witnessed.
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Substitute Enes Unal missed a great chance to equalise for the visitors by hitting the bar with a header from close-range in the seventh minute of injury time, summing up a crazy afternoon.
It is not a one-off either, with regulars at the Gtech Community Stadium having witnessed 29 goals in six matches here this season.
With Gladiator II released in cinemas this week, this game channelled the energy of the original star Russell Crowe: Are you not entertained?
Brentford striker Yoane Wissa was the star of this show as he got the goals that ultimately mattered in each half – a header across goal and a neat first-time finish – and is clearly relishing being the leading light up front.
The 28-year-old has scored seven goals in just eight Premier League appearances this season and does not appear to be missing the presence of former team-mate Ivan Toney.
Neither are Brentford, who have scored 22 goals already this season, and still have new signing Igor Thiago to come back from injury.
The Brazilian striker was recruited as Toney’s replacement, but has yet to play in a competitive game for the club after picking up a knee injury last summer, although he is close to a comeback.
Frank will be more concerned with keeping goals out than scoring them, however, particularly after they conceded twice in stoppage time to throw away a 1-0 lead in the west London derby at Fulham last Monday.
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After that extraordinary defeat, Frank will argue that his players deserved some good luck in this fixture and no one could question their spirit.
After falling behind on two occasions, they responded almost immediately to maintain their unbeaten record at home.
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Only Tottenham can match their haul of 22 Premier League goals this season, although they have also conceded 22, which is why Bournemouth were always in it.
Andoni Iraola’s side started well, with the confidence gained from last week’s shock win over Manchester City still coursing through the players’ veins.
With Ryan Christie, Lewis Cook and Tyler Adams pulling the strings in midfield Bournemouth played all the football in the opening exchanges, and were well worth the lead they were gifted by Sepp Van Den Berg’s horrendous back-pass in the 17th minute.
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The Dutch defender hit the ball with the power and precision of a toddler playing crazy golf and Bournemouth striker Evanilson took full advantage, intercepting before rounding goalkeeper Mark Flekken to score for his third successive Premier League game.
The Bees appeared stung by this setback, and belated sprung into action.
Vitaly Janelt had brought a good save from Kepa Arrizabalaga in the Bournemouth goal and the home side were soon level, with Van den Berg relieved at having played a part.
Stunning comeback
Van Den Berg’s long throw was not dealt with by Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez, with Wissa pouncing on his misdirected clearance to score with a well-directed header across goal.
Brentford continued to cause Bournemouth problems with their more direct approach, but there were no more attempts on goal until a flurry of action at the start of the second half.
In the 49th minute Justin Kluivert put Bournemouth ahead for the second time, with the Dutch striker producing a neat finish at the near-post following a one-two with Cook.
The away fans were still celebrating, however, when Mikkel Damsgaard equalised for Brentford within the space of a minute.
Bryan Mbeumo created the opening on the right with an angled ball from the flank, with Damsgaard beating Kepa with a right-footed shot from a tight angle.
Brentford had a penalty appeal turned away by referee Darren Bond soon after when Nathan Collins went down under pressure from Kerkez.
The Bees finally went ahead in the 59th minute of a breathless encounter.
Keane Lewis-Potter released Janelt down the left, whose angled ball was met by Wissa, who scored with a first-time shot for his second goal of the afternoon.
Brentford’s 11 Premier League games have featured an extraordinary 44 goals this season. On this evidence the entertainment is set to continue.
