Kevin Schade scores a perfect hat trick as Brentford beat Bournemouth 4-1, extending the Cherries winless run and boosting Bees momentum.
Kevin Schade scored a hat trick as Brentford swept aside Bournemouth with a 4-1 win at the Gtech Community Stadium. The German forward struck early, late, and in stoppage time to headline a dominant home performance. Brentford also benefited from a Djordje Petrovic own goal before the break. The result lifts the Bees to eighth in the Premier League table.
Bournemouth arrived under pressure and left with more questions. Their winless run now stretches to nine league matches. Brentford, by contrast, continue a strong run at home and end the year with momentum. It was a statement performance built on intensity and direct attacking play.
Brentford needed just seven minutes to open the scoring. Igor Thiago won possession near halfway and slid a perfectly weighted pass into Schade’s path. The forward shrugged off Bafode Diakite and finished low past Petrovic. It was Brentford’s first first half league goal in six matches.
The hosts stayed on the front foot and created several openings. Kristoffer Ajer headed narrowly wide while Schade saw another effort blocked. Bournemouth struggled to cope with the pace and physicality up front. Pressure eventually brought a second goal in unusual fashion.
Brentford doubled their lead in the 39th minute through an own goal. Thiago’s shot was partially saved by Petrovic and struck the post. Diakite’s attempted clearance rebounded off his goalkeeper and into the net. It summed up a difficult first half for the visitors.
Bournemouth offered little threat before the interval. Antoine Semenyo had an early effort but chances were rare. Their expected goals figure at half time stood at just 0.07. Brentford went in fully deserving of their two-goal advantage.
Bournemouth improved after the restart following a triple substitution. Evanilson, David Brooks, and Justin Kluivert added urgency and movement. Despite that lift, Brentford struck again on the counter. Schade guided in Yehor Yarmoliuk’s cross in the 51st minute to make it 3-0.
The Cherries continued to attack and finally found reward. Semenyo produced a clever backheeled finish from close range in the 75th minute. Bournemouth registered 18 second half shots and an xG of 2.42. However, their defensive issues remained exposed.
Schade completed his hat trick deep into stoppage time. Mikkel Damsgaard delivered a precise cross and Schade headed home from six yards. It capped a perfect hat trick scored with right foot, left foot, and head. Brentford have now beaten Bournemouth in five straight meetings across all competitions.
Thiago impressed with his hold up play and pressing. Yarmoliuk and Mathias Jensen found space repeatedly from midfield. For Bournemouth, Semenyo was the main attacking threat. Defensive struggles again undermined their effort.
Brentford move to 26 points, their highest total at the end of a calendar year in five Premier League seasons. They have won six of nine home league matches this campaign. Bournemouth sit 15th after another setback. Only Burnley have conceded more away goals this season.
Brentford return to action on January 1st when they host Tottenham. Bournemouth face a tough test away at Chelsea on December 30th. Both sides enter demanding fixtures with very different confidence levels.
