The Gtech Community Stadium was buzzing on December 27, 2025, as Brentford delivered a commanding 4-1 victory over Bournemouth in Premier League Matchweek 18. The story of the afternoon? Kevin Schade’s sensational hat-trick—his first in Brentford colors—propelled the Bees to their sixth home league win of the season and left Bournemouth’s winless run stretching to a worrying nine matches.
From the opening whistle, Brentford’s attack looked hungry. Igor Thiago, the team’s leading scorer, set the tone early by twice overpowering the visiting defenders, signaling a long afternoon ahead for the Cherries’ backline. According to match reports, "Kevin Schade’s hat-trick inspired Brentford to a thumping 4-1 home win over sorry Bournemouth." The Bees hadn’t scored four goals in a Premier League match since their memorable May 4 triumph over Manchester United, but they wasted no time reminding fans of their offensive prowess.
Schade’s opener came in just the seventh minute, and it was a beauty. Thiago turned provider, clipping a clever ball through to Schade, who shrugged off the challenge of Bafode Diakite and angled a low shot into the bottom corner. That strike ended a seven-match goal drought for the German attacker and set the stage for a remarkable afternoon.
Bournemouth, led by manager Andoni Iraola, tried to muster a response. Antoine Semenyo, a player whose name has been swirling in transfer rumors—especially with links to Manchester City intensifying—showed early flashes of intent. He forced a save from Brentford’s keeper, and his movement kept the hosts on their toes. Yet, every time Bournemouth threatened, Brentford responded with a counterpunch.
The Bees nearly doubled their lead before the break, with Kristoffer Ajer heading wide from a Vitaly Janelt free-kick and Schade missing a golden opportunity after a poor clearance from Marcos Senesi. Yehor Yarmoliuk, Keane Lewis-Potter, and Mathias Jensen repeatedly found space running off their markers, and Brentford’s attacking combinations left Bournemouth’s defense chasing shadows.
The breakthrough for a second goal came in the 39th minute, albeit in the most comical fashion. Brentford’s Thiago saw his deflected shot cleared off the line by Diakite, only for the defender’s attempted clearance to smash into goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic and ricochet into the net. It was an own goal that summed up Bournemouth’s luckless afternoon and gave Brentford a deserved 2-0 cushion at halftime.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Iraola made a triple substitution at the interval, introducing David Brooks, Justin Kluivert, and Evanilson. The changes sparked a brief resurgence, with Bournemouth launching several attacks early in the second half. Brooks was denied by Brentford keeper Caoimhin Kelleher, while Kluivert saw one effort blocked and another rattle the post.
But Brentford were ruthless in transition. Just six minutes after the restart, they struck again. Alejandro Jimenez whipped in a cross that was cleared, and Brentford broke with speed. Yarmoliuk surged forward and squared for Schade, who poked the ball home for his second of the match. The Gtech crowd erupted—could Schade complete his hat-trick?
Bournemouth refused to fold completely. In the 75th minute, Jimenez burst into the box and delivered a low cross that Semenyo finished with a clever back-heel from close range. It was a moment of individual brilliance for Semenyo, who, despite the swirling transfer speculation, showed his value to the Cherries. Yet, any hopes of a comeback were short-lived.
Brentford continued to create chances, with Keane Lewis-Potter missing an open goal late on. The final flourish came in stoppage time, courtesy of two substitutes. Jordan Henderson, brought on to steady the midfield, linked up with Mikkel Damsgaard on the left. Damsgaard floated a pinpoint cross into the area, and there was Schade, rising highest to head home his third. The hat-trick was complete, and the stadium was on its feet.
As the final whistle sounded, Brentford’s players embraced, celebrating a performance that showcased their attacking depth and tactical flexibility. For Schade, it was a day to remember—three goals, a match ball, and the adulation of the home crowd. "Schade produced a smart seventh-minute opener before a comical own goal by Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic made it 2-0 before half-time. A second for Schade followed at the start of the second period and even though Semenyo pulled one back in the 75th minute, Schade had the last word as he headed home in stoppage time to ensure Keith Andrews’ men claimed victory for a sixth time at home in the Premier League this season," as reported by match coverage.
For Bournemouth, the defeat was another setback in a difficult campaign. Iraola’s side, now winless in nine, looked bereft of confidence for much of the contest. The triple substitution at halftime did inject some life, but defensive lapses and a lack of composure in key moments proved costly. The own goal by Petrovic, while unfortunate, was emblematic of the team’s recent struggles.
The match also highlighted the transfer intrigue surrounding Semenyo. Despite his goal and energetic display, the speculation linking him to Manchester City continues to swirl. Whether he remains a Bournemouth player beyond the January window is a storyline to watch in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Brentford’s win keeps them firmly in the hunt for a top-half finish, and with attacking performances like this, few would bet against them climbing even higher.
Brentford’s manager Keith Andrews praised his team’s intensity and creativity, while also acknowledging the contributions of substitutes like Henderson and Damsgaard, whose late combination capped a memorable afternoon. Schade, for his part, was all smiles as he collected the match ball, his hat-trick a testament to perseverance after a recent scoring drought.
As the Premier League season rolls toward its midpoint, Brentford fans will savor this emphatic win, which not only snapped their four-goal drought but also showcased the depth and dynamism of their squad. Bournemouth, meanwhile, must regroup quickly if they hope to turn their fortunes around. With the transfer window looming and pressure mounting, the next few weeks promise plenty of intrigue for both clubs.
For now, the spotlight belongs to Kevin Schade and Brentford—a team that, on this evidence, is ready to make some noise in the second half of the campaign.
