🐝 Bees Sting Cherries 🍒 in GTech Masterclass to Close Out 2025 🎆
What a way to wrap up the year! In a high-stakes "six-pointer" at the GTech Community Stadium, Brentford didn't just beat Bournemouth—they dismantled them. Heading into the match, history wasn't exactly on our side; we’d won only one of our last seven fixtures between Christmas and New Year, and the Cherries arrived on an eight-match unbeaten run in London.
From the first whistle, however, those stats went out the window. Led by a historic performance from Kevin Schade and a defensive masterclass by Michael Kayode, the Bees swarmed the visitors with relentless counter-attacking football. The 4-1 scoreline was a fair reflection of a dominant afternoon that sees us leapfrog Bournemouth in the table and head into 2026 with massive momentum.
The Takeaways from the match:
Schade celebrates his world-class performance at the GTech, and the Bees humiliate the Cherries. (The Guardian)
The Schade Supremacy: Kevin Schade didn't just score a hat-trick; he delivered a "Perfect Hat-Trick" (left foot, right foot, and header). His combination of blistering pace and physical strength was too much for the Bournemouth backline to handle.
The "Wall" Kayode: While Schade grabs the headlines, Michael Kayode’s performance at right-back was world-class. He neutralized Antoine Semenyo—one of the league's most dangerous wingers—and provided a heroic goal-line clearance when the momentum threatened to shift.
Thiago’s Presence: Igor Thiago may not have ended up on the scoresheet officially, but his hold-up play was the engine of our offense. His ability to muscle off defenders and provide the "pre-assist" or direct assist was the catalyst for nearly every major chance.
Aggression over Apathy: Even with a two-goal cushion, the Bees refused to sit back. The commitment to the counter-attack in the second half proved that this Brentford side is at its best when it's on the front foot.
The Bees Swarm Early
The atmosphere at the GTech was electric from kickoff, and the Bees responded immediately. Just five minutes in, Yehor Yarmoliuk caught a half-volley at the top of the D that whistled wide, serving as a warning shot. That warning went unheeded. In the 7th minute, Igor Thiago showcased his incredible strength to hold off a defender before launching a pinpoint through ball to Kevin Schade. Schade turned on the afterburners, outmuscling his marker and clinically finishing past Petrovic to make it 1-0.
Brentford looked like a team possessed, nearly doubling the lead minutes later when Thiago went solo on a break rather than squaring to Jensen, only to see his effort saved. The pressure was relentless; Janelt’s set-piece delivery found Kristoffer Ajer for a header that shaved the post, and Schade forced another save from Petrovic after a scuffed left-footed effort. The second goal finally arrived in the 39th minute via a stroke of deserved luck. Keane Lewis-Potter did brilliantly to keep the ball in play, feeding Thiago for a shot that looped high into the air. In the ensuing goalmouth scramble, a Bournemouth clearance struck Petrovic and crossed the line. A chaotic 2-0 lead at the break felt like just reward for one of our best halves of the season.
Responding to the Counter-Punch
Andoni Iraola rang the changes at halftime with a triple substitution, but the Bees refused to let the Cherries settle. In the 51st minute, Schade was fouled during a powerful run, but the referee played a brilliant advantage as Thiago poked the ball out to Yarmoliuk. The youngster fizzed a low cross into the box where Schade—having continued his run—thundered it home for 3-0.
Bournemouth finally began to find their footing near the hour mark. Caoimhin Kelleher was called into action, producing a massive 1v1 save against a charging Bournemouth attacker, and the post came to our rescue when a deflected Kluivert effort rang off the woodwork. The Cherries eventually pulled one back in the 75th minute through Semenyo, a goal that stood despite Rico Henry appearing to be fouled in the buildup.
A Perfect Finale
The final ten minutes were a test of nerves. Kelleher was clattered by Kluivert in a heavy collision that saw yellow cards handed out to both Kluivert and Kayode for the resulting scrum. But the Bees didn't just defend the lead; they looked to extend it. After Lewis-Potter had a goal narrowly ruled out for offside, the crowning moment arrived in the 96th minute. Jordan Henderson found Mikkel Damsgaard in the box, who lunged to send a desperate, perfect cross into the middle. An unmarked Kevin Schade was there to head it home, completing a "perfect hat-trick" and a 4-1 rout.
Final Result: Brentford 4 - 1 Bournemouth
Man of the Match: Kevin Schade
Honorable Mention: Michael Kayode
