Liverpool speak to Brentford's Dykes in sporting director huntpublished at 12:49 BST 18 September
12:49 BST 18 September
Sami Mokbel Senior football correspondent
Image source, Getty Images
Liverpool are speaking to external candidates as part of their search for a new sporting director, with Brentford technical director Lee Dykes among the candidates the club has met.
Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon is leading the process.
As well as Dykes, Brentford sporting director Phil Giles is also admired, but luring him away from west London is likely to be difficult.
FSG has spoken to other external candidates in addition to Dykes, who has played a key role in the Bees' consolidation as a Premier League side following their promotion in 2021, having arrived at the club in May 2019.
Brentford v Chelsea: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 09:34 BST 18 September
09:34 BST 18 September
Matthew Hobbs BBC Sport journalist
Unbeaten Brentford host a Chelsea side struggling for consistency under manager Xabi Alonso.
BBC Sport examines some of the key themes going into their meeting at Gtech Community Stadium on Friday night.
Brentford continued their unbeaten start to the season with a hard-fought Carabao Cup win at Reading on Tuesday. Next on their agenda will be a return to winning ways in the Premier League.
The Bees have turned into something of a draw specialist in the top flight, with 10 of their past 14 Premier League fixtures ending level, including three of four this season.
They have opened the scoring in all four matches before being pegged back in the past three, conceding late equalisers in 1-1 draws with both Leeds United and Sunderland.
And this fixture in particular tends to produce a stalemate. Brentford are winless in all five home London derbies against Chelsea in the Premier League, with the most recent four ending level.
If Brentford are to right that record, targeting set-pieces could be a useful strategy. Only Leeds have a higher expected goals tally from set-pieces this season, while Chelsea have the seventh-highest total against (1.57).
Chelsea's chaotic start under Xabi Alonso continued with a 2-2 draw with Hull City at Stamford Bridge last weekend.
They have let in 12 goals in five games against Premier League opposition this season, including the 6-3 EFL Cup win over Leeds, conceding at least twice in each of those matches.
Defensive issues, though, predate Alonso's arrival, with Chelsea failing to keep a clean sheet in the league since January.
The summer signing of goalkeeper Emi Martinez from Aston Villa was supposed to bring an element of calm to a vulnerable backline but only Ipswich Town, Crystal Palace and Coventry City have conceded more goals so far, while Chelsea are ceding clear opportunities to opposing teams.
They have faced the joint-most shots on target (26) of any top-flight side in 2026-27. Only winless Fulham have faced more big chances than Chelsea's 15, evidencing how open they can be to play against.
Like Brentford, Alonso's side have opened the scoring in all four league outings this season, so the result of this meeting may rest on who best manages going ahead.
Chelsea can take confidence from a good recent record in this fixture after going unbeaten in the past five meetings (W2, D3). They can also call on the services of the Premier League's most in-form forward to help continue that record.
Joao Pedro has scored three goals and assisted three in this season's Premier League, two more goal involvements than any other player.
Should the Brazilian falter on this occasion, Danny Welbeck is waiting in the wings. The 35-year-old has already scored three EFL Cup goals following his summer move from Brighton, but he is yet to open his account in the Premier League.
Welbeck, though, has scored in his past three Premier League meetings with the Bees.
Sutton's predictions: Brentford v Chelseapublished at 08:33 BST 18 September
08:33 BST 18 September
Chelsea are free-scoring and their frontline is so dynamic, but they are leaking goals left, right and centre - and they are a bit of a rabble at the back.
I do think Chelsea will stop conceding eventually, but finding the right balance between defence and attack is Xabi Alonso's big problem at the moment. It is far too easy to create chances against his side.
Brentford boss Keith Andrews has got that balance in his team. They are very dangerous on the counter-attack, so you have to think they will hurt Chelsea too.
This fixture finished in a 2-2 draw in September last year, and I can see it going the same way this time.
Andrews on 'special group', Schade's form and Chelseapublished at 14:59 BST 17 September
14:59 BST 17 September
Nat Hayward BBC Sport journalist
Brentford boss Keith Andrews has been speaking to the media before Friday's Premier League game against Chelsea at The Gtech Community Stadium (20:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Mathias Jensen, Nathan Collins, Sepp van den Berg and Josh DaSilva will miss the game but they are targeting a return after the international break, while there are no new injuries to report.
Young striker Kaye Furo had surgery on his metatarsal on Monday and is now "in a good place".
On Kevin Schade's fine start to the season, which has earned him a Germany call-up: "He's been in there before so he's used to that setup. A different manager now of course, one that's very used to the Premier league so I'm sure he'd have been very aware. Kev has been in a really good rhythm, a really good place in his game. He's working really hard with the coaches to improve certain parts of his game and I think we've seen that in how he's been performing."
On Vitaly Janelt, who earned his first international call-up for Jurgen Klopp's Germany squad: "Since I took over as head coach, I've loved working with him. His value to me is huge. He absolutely deserves it. The levels he's produced in the toughest league in the world is pretty remarkable."
Andrews praised the morale currently within his squad: "I love this place. I say to the players all the time that we don't realise how lucky we are. We have a sign above the boot room that says exactly that; how lucky we are to be at an amazing place and be part of a special, special group."
On the derby against neighbours Chelsea: "It'll be an entertaining game. Both teams are in a pretty good place and playing some good football. There will be a lot of talented players on show for both sides. It'll be an enthralling derby."
Andrews was asked about new fan flags at Brentford's stadium and a donation made to a supporters group by captain Collins: "It's genuine, real and isn't forced in any way. I was delighted when I heard what [the fans] were doing. That engagement and feeling is nice to witness when we come out. It sums up where we are as a club that our captain has made that donation."
On last season's top scorer Igor Thiago, who is yet to find the net so far in the new campaign: "It's always important not to let the noise impact what you do, how you do it and why you do it - whether that's good noise or slightly negative noise. I'm really comfortable with where he is and how he came back from the World Cup. We shouldn't lose sight of what he achieved last season and the mountain he climbed to do what he did for us. We value him so much as a player, not just because of his goals. He's in a good place and he's enjoying his football. He loves being here and we love having him here."
Reading 1-2 Brentford - the fans' verdictpublished at 12:50 BST 16 September
12:50 BST 16 September
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on Brentford's 2-1 Carabao Cup third round win at League One Reading on Tuesday.
Here are some of your comments:
Ian: The Bees seem to be scraping results at the moment (three Premier League leads ending in draws and a 2-1 win over Reading), however, it is easy to be critical. I do not think they have 'hit the boards running' but with matches coming up against some of the so called 'big guns', it may spark them into action!
Douglas: Every Brentford supporter expects them to win by a hatful of goals, but that can't always happen. A professional performance which shows their class. This will be our year.
Paul: Brentford were fortunate to beat a hard working, mostly reserve Reading side. They will need to up their game in the next round.
Baz: We got away with one here - shooting practice in the morning a priority.
Nigel: The Bees totally dominated the ball, and missed a handful of good chances, but looked susceptible to Reading's long throws and corners. Both disallowed goals should have been allowed. You could see the difference in class but the last 10 minutes were very uncomfortable.
Ethan: It was a shaky performance, but we got through and that's all I care about.
George: Credit to Reading - we both had unfairly disallowed goals at either end of the game but theirs was gorgeous. Our service into the box needed a little work, and when we did get it, our one-on-one finishing is not what it used to be. Job done but we do need to get back to playing with surety and efficiency.
Paul: Very poor performance, defending set-pieces were dreadful. Thought they were playing with a beach ball the shots went that high. There's something not quite right at the Bees at the moment. Oh, and Thiago's body language on the pitch is dreadful - he needs a kick up the backside.
Reading 1-2 Brentford: What Andrews saidpublished at 22:58 BST 15 September
22:58 BST 15 September
Image source, Getty Images
Brentford boss Keith Andrews on reaching the fourth-round of the Carabao Cup: "We took it very seriously in the last round and we did again tonight. It's a serious competition for us, we want to go as far as we can. There's no reason why we can't. We're going to attack it as hard as we can."
On the officiating in the match: "It's been a tough week for officials as everybody is probably aware. I think we just need to let them ref the game and be human beings and make decisions because we have gone through a period in the game where I feel like they weren't actually making decisions in both boxes because if the technology we have in the game and I feel like that is a real shame.
"I always felt as a player when there was a relationship with an official that was built on respect and being able to speak to each other in a certain way, we've gone away from allowing them to officiate and allowing them to make mistakes and I think it is a real shame. Now they are having to go back to that and it's not the habits they have had in recent years."
On how alarming it is that there wasn't a check on Enzo Fernandez being offside for Manchester City's goal in the Manchester derby: "It's pretty alarming. The first thing was whether [Erling] Haaland was offside and then obviously [Enzo] Fernandez was. It's a shame."
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Andrews on Furo's surgery, Reading and taking Carabao Cup 'very seriously'published at 15:02 BST 14 September
15:02 BST 14 September
Brentford boss Keith Andrews has been speaking to the media before Tueday's Carabao Cup third round game against League One side Reading at The Select Car Leasing Stadium (20:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Andrews confirmed he intended to start 19-year-old striker Kaye Furo, who won the Premier League 2 Player of the Month award, on Tuesday but the youngster picked up an injury in the last few days and had to undergo surgery on Monday.
Providing more detail, he added: "Unfortunately for him, he's had to have an operation this morning. The timing of an injury is obviously never good for a player, but I felt he was just coming into a really good place with his game. That's really frustrating for him. I would've started him against Reading because I felt he deserved it and was in that type of space. I'm not sure how long he's going to be out for but we'll obviously look after him and get him back to a good place."
However, young defender Benjamin Fredrick will be involved against the Royals: "He hasn't had a lot of football but has come back in the last couple of weeks. We decided not to play him in the B team game on Sunday to make sure he was in the right place to be available for our game against Reading. I anticipate he'll be involved."
On the importance of the Carabao Cup: "We've got 5000 fans going to the game. That for me says it all - the belief the fans have that we are taking it very seriously. We did it last year. We pushed as hard as we could. We didn't get to where we wanted to but that's the plan this year."
On his side's start to the season: "The way I look at the last few weeks is that we set the bar very, very high in some games and we haven't quite hit that level. We are a team that is very respected now and with that comes a different type of pressure to perform and get results."
Asked what has been his favourite aspect of his first 50 games in charge of the Bees, Andrews said: "Seeing the team and the group grow and evolve and mature and gain a really nice way of working together. That is underpinned on trust and belief. I just love the journey we have been on together. I have tried to learn and evolve and be really demanding of our group, but also really supportive."
On Tuesday's opponents Reading: "We have to pay the opposition ultimate respect, and that's something we do really well. Players are always very aware who they're up against and what it will feel like. We need to play our game. Reading will have their plan, I have watched them from afar. We will have to play really well."
Brahams: First of all, lucky to get a point. Defensively, I think maybe having a changing back four (can't be helped through injuries) is causing us some headaches. Potentially in midfield as well. Just feels like we need some stability. But, I know we will be a very dangerous team this season.
Stanley: We need to start turning draws into wins if we want to qualify for Europe, but we were actually lucky to steal a point. It has still been a good start to the season, but just not very convincing.
Sampson: A fair result in the end. I'm happy with most of the performances, but a bit worried about our centre-back problem. I think we should have signed one in the summer.
Rob: We were very fortunate to come away with a point. I struggle to understand some of our substitutions. Thiago is not in good form and should have been benched for Wilson if we were going for the three points. The like-for-like subs are really annoying when we should be looking for tactical subs to change the game.
Bournemouth fans
Kirsi: The players are doing amazingly with Rose's tactics and our style of play has been really good and entertaining in these past few fixtures. Only problem is we aren't efficient enough and are wasting way too much shots on target. It could have easily been our first win versus Brentford in years, but the wait will unfortunately extend into 2027.
Terry: If Marco wants to thrive in charge of Bournemouth he needs to find the courage to give our finishers more time. Against Lincoln they had 12-plus minutes and helped turn 2-0 into 4-0. Against Brentford he only gave them eight-plus minutes. Those late chances before the subs came on might have been converted with fresh legs and sharp minds.
Sid: Some of the build-up play is the most exciting ever from Bournemouth. Unfortunately, the finishing is so poor and there are too many individual defensive errors so far.
Paul: Encouraging performance in terms of chances created but still not putting them away. Missing a natural goalscorer like Eli Junior Kroupi up front. I would think about giving Alvaro Rodriguez an extended run to see what he can do.
Analysis: Schade haunts Cherries againpublished at 11:49 BST 13 September
11:49 BST 13 September
Adwaidh Rajan BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Kevin Schade scored a hat-trick in the 4-1 win against Bournemouth last December and was their tormentor again on Saturday.
He headed in the opener before capitalising on a dreadful mistake from Petrovic to complete his brace in the 56th minute, ensuring the Bees remain unbeaten in 12 games against the Cherries since 2014.
Andrews' side seemed eager to keep that unbeaten record going as Igor Thiago and Keane Lewis-Potter went close to an opener inside three minutes.
With the score at 1-1 deep into first-half stoppage time, the Bees were convinced they had a penalty as Kristoffer Ajer's shot struck Adrien Truffert's arm, but referee Jarred Gillett deemed the defender to be too close to react and waved away the appeals.
Andrews' side were fortunate to escape with a point and familiar problems remain as they let a lead slip again - for the third time in as many matches.
But three draws and a win from their opening four matches will be an encouraging return for Andrews, who will celebrate his 46th birthday on Sunday.
'Brentford probably feel lucky to come out with a point'published at 19:42 BST 12 September
19:42 BST 12 September
Image source, Getty Images
Former England striker Ellen White on Final Score: "The momentum ebbed and flowed. I think Bournemouth will be frustrated not to have gotten the three points. It was obviously a bit of a calamity at the back.
"Bournemouth had a lot more chances in that second half to obviously get the three points, so Brentford probably feel lucky to come out with a point."
Bournemouth 2-2 Brentford: What Andrews saidpublished at 19:30 BST 12 September
19:30 BST 12 September
Media caption,
Brentford manager Keith Andrews speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "Our games are rarely boring. We did not hit the levels we set for ourselves, we did not make life easy for ourselves. So this is a point gained.
"We did not take care of the ball as well as we should have. Our subs did not impact the game, which is disappointing as we have a squad to compete.
"There were a couple of occasions we got through but did not attack with conviction. But we are in early stages, we are unbeaten, so there are reasons to be content - but I'm not wired like that."
On Kevin Schade: "He has been electric, he has attacked everything and is in a good rhythm with his game. We are in discussions [over a new contract], let's see how it pans out."
Did you know?
Brentford remain unbeaten four games into a Premier League season for just the second time, after also doing so in the 2023-24 season, the fourth game of which was also a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth.
Kevin Schade has now scored in Brentford's last three Premier League away games, just the second time a player has scored in three successive away games for the club in the competition after Schade himself in January/February 2025.
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Chelsea v Hull City" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Everton match", for example.
New this season: Live match updates
Fans of Premier League clubs can now get real-time scores live on their phone lock screen for every game.
Simply follow your favourite football teams on the BBC Sport app for updates throughout the 2026-27 season.
Sutton's predictions: Bournemouth v Brentfordpublished at 08:43 BST 12 September
08:43 BST 12 September
To say Bournemouth keep on throwing it away is a bit harsh, but they have been ahead in all three of their league games so far and not won any of them.
Will they see this one through? I am not sure, but I like the way Cherries boss Marco Rose talks when he has been interviewed after games. He is a bright guy and he will get things right.
I was spot on with my prediction for Brentford's 1-1 draw with Sunderland last week, but the Bees were actually lucky to get a point in the end.
Brentford will play on the counter-attack here and Bournemouth will have a go at them, so this smells like a draw to me.
Bournemouth v Brentford: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 19:33 BST 11 September
19:33 BST 11 September
Sophie Brown BBC Sport journalist
Bournemouth are looking for a first Premier League victory over Brentford.
The Cherries have led in all three of their league games this season, yet failed to win any of them.
Two points from three matches so far probably isn't a fair reflection on how Marco Rose's side have played, but they have developed a habit of crumbling late on in games. Four of the five goals they have conceded have been after the 84th minute, with two of those coming in stoppage time.
In contrast, all of the four league goals scored by Bournemouth have come in the first half. Against Newcastle last weekend, they had 13 shots in the first half, with five on target; after the break, they had four shots, none of which were on target.
"In the second half, we dropped a bit in everything," admitted head coach Rose after Bournemouth were pegged back from 2-0 up by an 88th-minute equaliser.
They started to put that right in midweek, with three second-half goals from a much rotated line-up giving them a 4-0 League Cup win over Lincoln City, which was Rose's first competitive win in charge.
But now Bournemouth need to transfer that to the Premier League, where they have lost seven points from winning positions this season, more than any other team – and 29 since the start of 2025-26, the joint-highest in the division.
Brentford are unbeaten this season but have also been struggling to kill off games in the league, having let a lead slip in their past two top-flight matches.
The Bees have drawn nine of their past 13 Premier League games (W2, L2), and have amassed 11 draws in 2026 - second only to Bournemouth, who have drawn 12.
The latest concession of a lead came last weekend when Sunderland grabbed a draw through an Enzo le Fee penalty in the 82nd minute.
Giving away penalties has also been something of an Achilles heel for Brentford in recent times. They have conceded more than any other Premier League side since the beginning of last season, with six goals coming from the nine spot-kicks they have given up.
On the flip side, they have earned more than any other side in that time, but they are the only team in this Premier League campaign to miss a penalty – that happened in the opening match of the season when Igor Thiago hit the post with his against Tottenham.
Image source, Getty Images
