Cherries suffered a 3-1 reverse at Brentford today. Here we run through the decisive aspects.

EVEN MATT RITCHIE HAS OFF DAYS...

Well, it had to happen some time.

Nothing seemed to quite fall for Matt Ritchie with the winger growing increasingly frustrated as the first half developed. 

On a booking he could, probably should, have been sent off for a late lunge on Stuart Dallas and was withdrawn at the interval.

... BUT THE WEE MAN IS READY

Ryan Fraser replaced Ritchie and revitalised Cherries.

Direct and quick, he was a constant menace to Brentford with only the finish lacking as Cherries pressed valiantly at 2-1. 

BEWARE THE WOUNDED ANIMAL

In the ultra-competitive Championship, the timing of fixtures is crucial.

On the back of a turbulent week in which Brentford announced that manager Mark Warburton's contract would not be renewed at the end of the season, the Bees played out of their skins for their outgoing gaffer.

Cherries were patchy during the first half, without question, but were faced with a quality side that had the bit between its teeth.  

Who knows whether that would have been the case without the shock revelation.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Alex Pritchard's fancy footwork did not just tee up the opener but set the tone for an effervescent display which saw the Tottenham Hotspur youngster grab a goal and two assists. 

MOAN OF THE MATCH

The slow start which proved so costly for Cherries. 

They settled after that but Brentford already had their tails up by then with a momentum that Cherries struggled to stifle. 

Had Cherries netted at 2-1, they could easily have emerged victorious thanks to Fraser's bright display but there could be few complaints about the result across the 90 minutes.

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