Brentford

Mark Mitchener
BBC Sport Senior Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Having bowed out of the FA Cup in the third round, Bournemouth's fans would have been able to watch the weekend's fifth-round ties dispassionately.

While the Cherries' third-round conquerors Newcastle were dispatched by Manchester City – as Bournemouth themselves were in last season's quarter-finals – eyes may have been drawn to Monday's game between West Ham and Brentford, the teams who had knocked the Cherries out of the EFL Cup in the past two seasons.

And it was winger Dango Ouattara, who became Brentford's record signing when they paid Bournemouth £42m for him last summer, under the spotlight after seeing his 'Panenka' penalty saved as the Bees bowed out.

"What was he thinking?" was the common reaction. Well, Bournemouth's followers would have known it was not Dango's first rodeo. The Burkina Faso international scored with a Panenka in a penalty shootout after a Cherries pre-season friendly against Arsenal in California in July 2024.

Ouattara was also successful from 12 yards in last season's FA Cup fifth round as the Cherries overcame Wolves. This time, his technique involved not taking a run-up. Unorthodox, but two out of two scored in Bournemouth's colours.

And while overhauling any of the current top six may prove too tall an order for Andoni Iraola's side in their final nine league games, Brentford – in seventh place, four points above the Cherries – will firmly be in their sights.

Battles with Brentford are nothing new. Only Brighton (114) have faced the Cherries more times in league football than Brentford (110), and when cup games are taken into account, the Bees are now Bournemouth's most frequent opponents in competitive football, with 125 games overall – although older supporters on both sides are probably still pinching themselves that it is now a regular Premier League fixture, after years spent in the lower divisions.

What Brentford and Bournemouth will be aware of, however, is that every point is crucial when the final Premier League table is concerned – and not just because of the merit-based financial bonuses that come with each place.

With England still on course to earn a fifth Champions League place, while the two EFL Cup finalists and four of the eight remaining FA Cup contenders reside in the top six, the chance for clubs like Brentford or Bournemouth to win a ticket to Europe has never been greater.

Image source, Getty Images

Brentford owner Matthew Benham has been explaining how the Bees identify new players and the balance between data and scouting.

In their rise through the divisions to subsequent consolidation in the Premier League, Brentford have had extraordinary success with finding players, and Benham says that does not happen by acident.

"We have an open exchange of views," he told the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference 2026, external. "It is a mixture of the data models and good old-fashioned scouting.

"If you were to go through our players we have signed, some are more scouting based and others more maths based.

"For instance, models are not great for young players as we simply do not have the data. It is not like in American sport where they have high school and college data.

"Bryan Mbeumo was 19 years old when we spotted him and playing in the French second division. The model was 'meh' on him but the fact our scouts, and especially the technical director Lee Dykes, were so positive outweighed the data.

"If you have a player in their mid-20s who has played a couple of hundred games, the model better like him or we are not going to sign him."

Ian Westbrook
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

I'm gutted, genuinely gutted about Brentford's FA Cup exit - and the manner of it - on Monday night.

It's not just Dango Outtara's penalty - going second in a fifth round shootout really isn't the time to take a Panenka - but also the numerous errors we made during the 120 minutes and the goals we gave West Ham.

Make no mistake about it, the Hammers were a far better team than the one we beat comfortably at London Stadium in October.

But we gave them a helping hand with misplaced passes as well as setting up the chances for them to score twice.

After a poor spell we did improve, mainly after Mathias Jensen came on, and a 2-2 draw felt like the right score after extra time.

But having only ever got to the FA Cup quarter-finals once in my many years of watching Brentford, this feels like a wasted opportunity to get there again.

And, with all due respect to Leeds, having avoided any of the big four in the quarter-final draw and finally being pulled out at home, there was also the chance maybe to have gone further.

You can't blame Keith Andrews. He has taken the cups seriously all season and did again here - naming a first-team line-up.

He was unlucky that with injuries now starting to really affect us, he didn't have many ways of changing the game or taking off tired players, because nearly half the bench was filled with members of the B team and youngsters.

Crystal Palace set the benchmark for medium and smaller clubs last season - showing it is possible for one of us to win a major trophy.

I really wanted us to emulate them this season by winning the FA Cup, more than I wanted to finish in the top seven.

After Monday, I will have to concentrate on that instead.

Find more from Ian Westbrook at Beesotted podcast, external

We asked for your thoughts after Monday FA Cup game between West Ham and Brentford.

Here are some of your comments:

West Ham fans

Mike: Nuno made seven changes but the lads who came in really shone! Looking a completely different group of players this late in the season! Immaculate penalties!

Joe: Penalties could have been avoided if we buried chances but glad we got it over the line. Kante looked good and was happy to see Pablo back in the line-up. Keep up this form and we should have no problem climbing up the league and keeping this cup run alive.

Steve: I was not confident with the Hammers line-up, especially with Summerville on the bench. However, the first 11 were so much better than I anticipated. Interestingly, the players who they brought on did not perform like they can. I was impressed with Mavropanos. Jarrod always does well. What a penalty shootout. A great team effort. Well done Nuno too.

Jon: Phew! What a great cup tie. Well done West Ham great win. Look out Leeds we are coming for you.

Brentford fans

Brahams: If this was a league game I would be happy with the draw, solid defending and Kelleher was on top form. But it felt a bit flat in the middle, Lewis-Potter and Donovan kept the attacking spark. With Thiago doing what he does best, but there's only so much he can do. Became too reliant on long balls and throw-ins, nothing like the quick and silky play we can produce. Won't mention the penalty, but a wasted chance to really progress in the game cup. Europe here we come!

Isaac: Great game, end to end, both teams was huffing and puffing for the winner, wish we didn't leave the cup that way but oh well. A lot to play for in the league so it's not the worst thing. Igor Thiago scoring goals never gets old.

Paul: Disgraceful penalty, why would you do that in such an important game, was never going to win the cup but had a good chance of a semi-final at Wembley....

Neil Johnston
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Brentford have never advanced further than the quarter-finals in the FA Cup - and their run in this season's competition has ended at the fifth-round stage following Monday's penalty shootout defeat at West Ham.

Thanks to a highly impressive first season in charge by Keith Andrews, the Bees are daring to dream about playing in Europe.

It has been a campaign of highs in the Premier League, yet there will be disappointment among their 5,500 away following at London Stadium that they were unable to overcome a West Ham side that has struggled all season.

Andrews' starting line-up - and the involvement of Igor Thiago and Kevin Schade - suggested he saw this as a great opportunity to go deep in the FA Cup.

Brentford showed great character to twice come from behind to force extra time, while they will feel aggrieved they were not awarded a penalty after Mateus Fernandes' foul on Schade towards the end of the first half.

But former Bournemouth winger Dango Ouattara will be haunted by his miss in the shootout.

With West Ham leading 2-1 on penalties, he took an age before stepping up to take his kick - and hit a tame effort straight at Alphonse Areola much to the delight of the home fans.

Brentford manager Keith Andrews, speaking to BBC Sport: "It was a proper cup tie. They took the lead and in the first half we didn't hit the heights we could and should've done but in the second half we got back into the game.

"Extra time, we huffed and puffed and when you get to penalty kicks, it is not a toss of a coin but you need luck. They took theirs very well and unfortunately we missed one.

"With a goalkeeper like Caoimhin [Kelleher], you feel he will save one and their penalties have to be good and they were."

On Dango Ouattara's missed Panenka: "When you miss a penalty it is a tough moment, but it is easier to not take a penalty than take a penalty. We've had it in the past when people have been persecuted and ridiculed for missing a penalty on the biggest stage and that's ridiculous.

"He practices that technique a lot and will have the utmost support from me and everyone around.

"We really wanted to get through to the quarter-final but it was not to be. But we have nine games left where we can push on and do something special."

Did you know?

• Tonight was Brentford's 32nd penalty shootout, with only Walsall and Chelsea (34 each) taking part in more while playing within the top four tiers of English football. This was their first shootout defeat since November 2022 against Gillingham in the League Cup, having won their most recent three.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on West Ham's performance

What did you make of Brentford's display?

Come back on Tuesday for a selection of your replies

Image source, Getty Images

The draw for the FA Cup quarter finals has been made. Here is a list of all the ties in the order they were drawn:

• Southampton v Arsenal

• Chelsea v Port Vale

• Manchester City v Liverpool

• West Ham or Brentford v Leeds United

The ties will be played around the weekend of Saturday, 4 April.

Watch all the highlights and best video from this season's FA Cup

West Ham make seven changes to the side that started the win at Fulham last week.

Alphonse Areola, Kyle Walker-Peters, Ollie Scarles, Dinos Mavropanos, Mohamadou Kanté, Adama Traore and Pablo Felipe have all been called into the team.

West Ham XI: Areola, Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Disasi, Scarles, Kante, Fernandes, Soucek, Adama, Bowen, Pablo.

Subs: Herrick, Wan-Bissaka, Mayers, Kilman, Potts, Magassa, Summerville, Taty, Wilson.

Just the three changes for Brentford who have Brazilian forward Igor Thiago starting his first FA Cup tie.

Kristoffer Ajer, Keane Lewis-Potter and Yehor Yarmoliuk return, with Yarmoliuk making his 100th appearance for the club.

Brentford XI: Kelleher, Kayode, Collins, Ajer, Lewis-Potter, Henderson, Damsgaard, Yarmolyuk, Schade, Ouattara, Thiago.

Subs: Valdimarsson, Stephenson, van den Berg, Pinnock, Jensen, Donovan, Bentt, Shield, Furo.

I hate to see Premier League teams making changes for the FA Cup but, with the teams battling relegation, I can at least understand them doing it.

West Ham United will definitely rest some players here, and I don't think they will be too bothered if they go out.

The first match my dad took me to as a boy was the 1980 FA Cup final, when Trevor Brooking scored West Ham's winner with a header, but I don't see them back at Wembley this time.

It was a brilliant moment for Hammers fans and a highlight of their history, and I am sure Brentford supporters would love to experience something similar.

The furthest they've ever been in the FA Cup is the quarter-finals, on four occasions, and most recently in 1989.

I get that Keith Andrews' side could make it into Europe through their league position, but why not try to do the same by winning the FA Cup? Let's hope they go for it.

Sutton's prediction: 0-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Melissa Edwards
BBC Sport journalist

Brentford boss Keith Andrews has been speaking to the media before Monday's FA Cup game against West Ham at London Stadium (kick-off 19:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Rico Henry suffered a hamstring injury against Bournemouth on Tuesday and will be unavailable for a "decent period of time".

• Andrews said: "I'm really, really gutted for him. I was obviously here last year, and I'd seen the struggles that you go through as a player when you're injured, as well as what you have to show mentally to come through those periods. The frustration of watching your team-mates go out every day is heartbreaking, because you can't do what you love doing. We did really well to get him back, and his performances were outstanding - what he was producing against some of the best wingers in the league was so impressive. He epitomises the way I like the game to be played: aggressive and front-footed. And he's been a big, big part of what has been the best chapter in this club's history."

• Reiss Nelson is likely to be involved on Monday, having previously featured in both FA Cup fixtures this season, but Andrews is not "entirely sure" yet.

• On playing Keane Lewis-Potter at left-back with Henry out: "I'm open to everything, really. I think you have to be. I would never close any doors on anything. The reality is Keano is a winger. He was brought to the club as a winger and he's attack-minded."

• On being nominated for Premier League manager of the month: "It is nice, of course, but it is just a testament to the work that has gone on and the level of the performances the boys have produced, especially away from home, during this period. I think the work that goes into it from everybody has got us to that point over a period of time, which we have worked tirelessly to get to. So it is nice to see it come to fruition in some big games - and, of course, it is a nice pat on the back for everybody that has played a huge part in it."

• Meanwhile, Dango Ouattara was nominated for player of the month after scoring two goals and contributing two assists for Brentford in February. Andrews said: "He's been really impressive but I also think there's a lot more [to come] from him. He's a dream to work with. He's produced massive moments and is constantly looking to develop his game around our structure. He's a very valued member of the squad"

• On West Ham: "We've treated the cup competitions seriously and this will be no different. They've got themselves into a better position in the league so it'll be a tricky game for us. We'll do everything we can to navigate through to the quarter-finals."

Follow all of Friday's FA Cup news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Listen to Monday's full match commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live from 19:30

Got a question about Brentford? Get in touch here and we'll put it to our experts

Pundits Micah Richards and Danny Murphy join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from the midweek Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds

We asked for your thoughts after Tuesday's Premier League game between Bournemouth and Brentford

Here are some of your comments:

Bournemouth fans:

Mark: Bournemouth should have won they missed quite a few chances during the coarse of that game , but well take the point.

Lee: Have to take our chances!!! Not the greatest spectacle but Brentford were there for the taking and despite all of our chances only 2 were on target. This performance and the one versus Sunderland were very similar…chances missed!! here's hoping we can get back on the winning trail when we play Burnley next… Up The Cherries !

Peter: What is the point of having VAR if they can't get the big points right? Bournemouth were robbed of a clear penalty! I admit the finishing of the Cherries was not good enough, but the officials had a big say in the outcome of this game and fans want fairness. We didn't have that today.

Charl: Appalling! Poor decision choices, woeful passing and hopeless substitutions.We cannot replace Evanilson with Unal he's clueless.We are hopeless at dead ball situations not good enough for premier league we must start practicing set pieces. This game was thrown away by shockingly bad finishing.

Brentford fans:

Cliff: Very good point in our quest for European football. Bournemouth were the better team but finishing was woeful. Referee fell for their tactic of constantly going down with supposed head injuries when we were attacking.

Gavin: Brentford remain the Cherries bogey team after a hard fought draw Bournemouth should have won. Brentford were unbalanced by the injury to Rico Henry and the absence of Aaron Hickey and Vitaly Janelt throw previous injury. In the games against the mid table teams looking to qualify for Europe, Brentford need an extra man in midfield. Leaving room for two out and out forwards preferably with pace to come from deep and hit teams on the break. No point in hoofing hopeful balls up to Thiago to battle with two or three defenders single handed. It's not working against Brighton, Fulham and Bournemouth. Great team effort a game in previous seasons they would have lost. This team is still over achieving.

Brentford are set to offload up to five players in the summer, including 23-year-old Portuguese midfielder Fabio Carvalho. (The I - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Alex Brotherton
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Four days after scoring three goals in the opening 34 minutes of a remarkable 4-3 win over Burnley, Brentford were rather more pedestrian in Tuesday's goalless draw with Bournemouth.

Keith Andrew's side generated an xG rating of just 0.05 in the first half, their lowest in the first-half of a Premier League match this season.

Despite enjoying marginally the greater share of possession (51.9%) over 90 minutes, the Bees' attacking threat was limited to occasional counter-attacks.

It took until the 72nd minute for them to muster a shot on target, but Dango Ouattara's strike was straight at Petrovic.

Brentford pushed more in the closing stages, but Van den Berg's header from a free-kick was the closest they came to scoring.

But what Keith Andrew's side lacked in offensive spark, they made up for in commitment to hang in the match.

Having lost seven of their first eight away league games this season, they have taken 16 points from the last seven away games.

The remain four points above Bournemouth and within touching distance of the Europa League places.

Full report here.

Brentford manager Keith Andrews speaking to BBC Match of the Day after the goalless draw against Bournemouth: "Both teams tried their upmost to win the game, I don't think either team was settling for a 0-0, right up until the end both teams had chances.

"We couldn't quite find our best work with the ball, but without the ball tonight I thought we were excellent, a good reaction. To come here and get a clean sheet was really pleasing.

"I don't think luck ever hinders. I thought there was a resilience from the group and the way we went about it. We controlled parts of the game. But the woodwork is there for a reason. Did it help? Yeah, probably."

On Bournemouth's penalty shout: "I haven't watched it back. I'm not one to study clips afterwards to come out and give a really informed opinion because ultimately it doesn't really matter. The game's gone. I didn't think it was at the time. I'll look at it back but I didn't think it was live.

"The priority was to get back to basics. That was a real priority coming into this game. If you do all those things and do that well you've got a real chance of a clean sheet. I think we did that tonight."

On players from both teams arguing after full-time: "Not really sure. I definitely didn't start it. I think the game was played with a really competitive edge tonight. It probably spilt over a little bit at the end."

Did you know?

• Brentford had just five shots against Bournemouth, only against Spurs (4) in December 2025 and Arsenal (3) in April 2025 have they had fewer attempts in a Premier League match.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Bournemouth's performance

What did you make of Brentford's display?

Come back on Wednesday for a selection of your replies

Andoni Iraola makes two change to the Bournemouth side that drew 1-1 with Sunderland on Saturday.

Ryan Christie and Evanilson come into the side, with David Brooks and top scorer Eli Junior Kroupi dropping to the bench.

AFC Bournemouth: Petrovic, Jimenez, Hill, Senesi, Truffert, Adams, Scott, Rayan, Christie, Tavernier, Evanilson. Subs: Mandas, Brooks, Smith, Diakite, Adli, Junior Kroupi, Unal, Toth, Milosavljevic.

Brentford boss Keith Andrew makes three alterations to his side after their dramatic 4-3 win over Burnley three days ago.

Caoimhin Kelleher returns in goal after missing that game because of the birth of his child. Jordan Henderson comes into midfielder and Nathan Collins starts in defence.

Hakon Rafn Valdimarsson, Kristoffer Ajer, and Yehor Yarmoliuk drop to the bench.

Brentford: Kelleher, Kayode, Collins, van den Berg, Henry, Henderson, Jensen, Ouattara, Damsgaard, Schade, Thiago. Subs: Valdimarsson, Pinnock, Yarmolyuk, Ajer, Lewis-Potter, Donovan, Furo, Bentt, Shield.

Image source, Getty Images

Brentford boss Keith Andrews should be in the discussion for Premier League manager of the season, says BBC pundit Stephen Warnock.

The Irishman, in his first managerial role, has taken the Bees to seventh place - where they remain in contention for Europe.

"It's incredible what he has done," ex-Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.

"He's arguably up for manager of the season in his first season as a manager.

"He's got a team with a great style of football. They know the strengths and how to play to them. Don't write them off for a European place."

Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast here - from 2:26:30

Chris Adams
BBC Sport journalist

Bournemouth are closing in on their best Premier League unbeaten run but will face a stern test at Vitality Stadium on Tuesday (19:30 GMT) against a Brentford side in sparkling away form.

Four wins and four draws in their past eight league fixtures mean the Cherries are unbeaten since the turn of the year, a sequence which has moved them from 15th to 10th in the table, and only Manchester United (11) are on a longer unbeaten spell.

Just once have Bournemouth enjoyed a longer run without defeat in the top flight, going 11 games without losing between November and January last season.

Another South Coast stalemate?

But for a dozen draws – the joint most of any club in Europe's top five leagues this term – Andoni Iraola's men could be in the hunt for a European spot. Indeed, Bournemouth's 12 stalemates – six of them at home – is already their most in a top-flight campaign.

With much talk about the quality of Brazilian teenager Rayan since his arrival in January, it was his more experienced countryman Evanilson who rescued a point against Sunderland on Saturday, coming off the bench to notch his sixth league goal of the season.

Worryingly, he was taken off with five minutes to go after suffering a knock to the hip, giving him the quirky honour of becoming the first Bournemouth player to be subbed on, score and then be subbed off in a league match since James Keene against Brentford in October 2005 – when the two clubs were in League One.

Brentford for Europe?

While Brentford can't match Bournemouth's unbeaten record this calendar year, their form across the piece has them riding high in seventh place and dreaming of European qualification for the first time in their 134-year history.

Keith Andrews' side boast an eye-catching recent record on their travels, with Mikkel Damsgaard's late winner in Saturday's epic 4-3 victory at Burnley the latest example – even if they did have a contentious VAR decision to thank for denying the Clarets a stoppage-time equaliser.

Across their past six away games, Brentford have picked up more points than anyone else in the division.