4 Things We Learnt from Brentford's late win over Bournemouth
Thomas Frank and Andoni Iraola embrace before kick-off. (Photo by Warren Little / Getty Images)

Bournemouth went head-to-head with Brentford yesterday at the Vitality Stadium, where they were beaten 2-1 with all three goals coming in the dying moments of the match.

The three points for Brentford saw them close the points gap between them and 15th-placed Everton to one point after Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa netted two late goals for the Bees. 

Referee Matthew Donohue made his Premier League debut and disallowed two goals for Bournemouth scored by Dominic Solanke, before overturning a penalty decision for Brentford against Ivan Toney. 

Despite the referee's decision to disallow two of the goals scored by Solanke, that did not stop the Englishman from getting on the scoresheet in the 89th minute. 

Here are four things we learnt from a late-season encounter that had a truly pulsating end.

  • Bournemouth need to work on stamina

Nathan Collins of Brentford goes down injured. (Photo by Warren Little/ Getty images.)

Teams are always going to lose a bit of composure in the late stages of games, but Bournemouth seem to especially let the pressure get to them in the late stages.

The Cherries have conceded 16 goals in the second half of their last 19 games.

Bournemouth have dropped a lot of points by conceding in the late stages, and had they not dropped points against Manchester United, Luton, Newcastle and Aston Villa, they could have potentially seen themselves secure a Europa or Conference League spot for next season.

Andoni Iraola will definitely need to be working on this over the summer to avoid dropping silly points next season, as he could potentially see his team aim even higher than this season's mid-table finish.

Although Bournemouth were not in a winning position during the game yesterday, they had still equalised.

Had they kept the point they would have remained in 10th place, but due to the dropping of a point in the 95th minute, Brighton replaced Bournemouth in 10th place.

  • Brentford proved they still have quality

Brentford have struggled this season with conceding goals, which ultimately has led them to the position they are in.

55 goals have been put past the Bees, making them the 4th-worst Premier League defence this season.

Despite the goals put past them, they still show great quality when attacking, having scored 52 goals and having ten more points than Nottingham Forest who sit in 17th place.

Looking ahead to next season, Brentford will want to work on their defensive strategies to avoid suffering like they have this season because attacking-wise, they have the quality and the capabilities to finish much higher.

Looking at the Wissa and Mbeumo link-up play from yesterday's match, if they are able to keep this play going forward to disrupt their opponents' defensive line, and where possible involve Ivan Toney, this could bring much better fortunes next season. 

  • Solanke could have secured his Euros place

Dominic Solanke of AFC Bournemouth. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurts/ Getty images)

It has been a massive talking topic about who will make it into the England squad this year; Dominic Solanke or Ivan Toney.

Toney has proved in recent years his quality and has also been able to prove he fits well into the England squad during the Euro qualifiers in 2023.

Since then, Dominic Solanke has made a breakthrough this season scoring 19 Premier League goals with just one being a penalty, making him the joint fifth-highest goalscorer this season, alongside Mohammed Salah. 

Comparing this to the season Toney has had, with just four goals, this has become a big topic on who should make it.

England coach Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was at this game, no doubt observing and feeding back to Gareth Southgate on who to pick.

While Brentford proved glorious in attack, it was Solanke who would have stood out.

Despite two of his goals being disallowed, one goal stood and his overall work was more eye-catching than Toney's. 

Of course, it is not going to be all about the amount of goals scored but the talent that the individual produces.

Taking that into consideration, it would be a lot harder to decide between the two, however looking at the season Bournemouth have had, it seems more likely their star man might be getting the call-up.

  • Brentford were not struggling whatsoever

Brentford’s form against Bournemouth since their promotion to the Premier League proves they are a team that will give the Cherries a run for their money.

In the last five matches between the two, Bournemouth have won none, with two draws and three losses.

Thomas Frank seems to know how to work his way around and disturb a Bournemouth squad very well, which could be due to the similar tactics of the teams.

Equally, it could be down to brilliant management, but he does not let Brentford take much damage when facing the Cherries. 

Yesterday, both teams put up a good battle with most key statistics coming out equal.

It was in the fine margins and big moments where Brentford were on top, ultimately leading to them sealing a deserved three points.