Mark Travers drops to Bournemouth bench as Brentford triumph

Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Mark Travers was left on the Bournemouth bench as the Cherries fell to a 2-0 defeat at Brentford.

Having started all but eight of his club's 18 previous league fixtures this season, the three-time Ireland cap was replaced in the Cherries' starting line-up at the Brentford Community Stadium by Brazilian keeper Neto, who was returning from injury.

But goals from Ivan Toney and Mathias Jensen fired Brentford up to eighth in the Premier League and ensured Bournemouth's collapse continued.

Toney's first-half penalty and Jensen's late strike inflicted a sixth straight defeat since the World Cup on the freefalling Cherries, all since Gary O'Neil was made their permanent manager.

It was a third consecutive Premier League win for the hosts and made it seven games unbeaten, a run which includes victories over Liverpool and Manchester City.

Thomas Frank's enterprising side are now ahead of Liverpool, while only defeats for West Ham and Everton kept Bournemouth out of the relegation zone.

FULL MATCH DETAILS

Bournemouth, still without a Premier League goal since the season restarted, could have gone ahead when Philip Billing swung in a cross for Kieffer Moore, but the Wales striker's header landed on the roof of the net.

The visitors were forced into a first-half change when Lewis Cook, hurt in an earlier 50-50 challenge with Jensen, tried in vain to continue before admitting defeat, with Ben Pearson replacing him.

The Bees took the lead moments later when Toney, back after missing two matches with a knee injury, chased a high ball from Yoane Wissa.

The striker was grappled to the floor by defender Marcos Senesi, giving referee Jarred Gillett what looked a simple penalty decision.

VAR might have spotted Toney