The Championship Playoffs: Bournemouth take the first leg lead
Bournemouth took the first step on the road to an immediate return to the Premier League with a 1-0 win in their home leg of the playoffs against Brentford.
In front of just over 2000 fans, at one of the countries first sporting event with fans this year, Dutch winger Arnaut Danjuma slotted home to finish a counterattack and give the Cherries the advantage.
The game started off rather cagy, with both sides getting used to the return of fans, but as both teams grew into the game it became end to end.
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Bournemouth lost captain Steve Cook just before half time as he appeared to injury himself whilst clearing the ball as Brentford pushed.
But to even the injury scores, the Bees talisman Ivan Toney picked up a knock that may not have taken him off the pitch, but seemingly took him out of the game.
Ten minutes into the second half, Brentford were attempting to create an opportunity around the opposition box. This is when Bees CB Pontus Janson lost the ball to Danjuma, who launched a counterattack through Dominic Solanke and David Brooks.
The ball eventually returning to him [Danjuma] where he slotted home calmly to give the home fans exactly what they wanted. This prompted Bee’s boss Thomas Frank to ring the changes, launching French winger Bryan Mbeumo into the action.
Mbeumo subsequently found himself at the centre of the game, missing a hatful of chances as Brentford pushed, including missing a chance from just six yards out.
The Cherries had another opportunity fall to Danjuma, with a strong free-kick that was palmed away by David Raya.
Both managers words know it is far from decided in the Championship playoffs:
"Bournemouth manager Jonathan Woodgate acknowledged the tie was far from over stating “It’s half time, it’s a slight advantage.”On the Brentford side, Frank understood that Bournemouth edged the first leg “I thought Bournemouth were slightly more dangerous than us in the first half without dominating.”But said his side believed they could overcome the deficit “There’s still massive belief in the dressing room we can turn it around.” (Via: BBC Sport)"
Related Story. The EFL Playoffs - Who makes it to the Premier League?. light
Brentford had 11 shots in the game but only one on target as their stuttering attack showed, Bournemouth inflict their first defeat in 13 on the north London club as they take the advantage to the Brentford Community Stadium.