Silenced LACK OF BUZZ FOR IVAN’S BEES
IVAN TONEY endured a frustrating return to league action after missing out on his England debut.
Toney, who failed to play a minute for the Three Lions during the international break, fired a blank as the stubborn hosts held their own.
But caretaker boss Gary O’Neill said: “It is the way it has gone a bit with us with VAR over the last four games. We take a point but I’m disappointed.”
Bees boss Thomas Frank said: “We had a few chances but the reason we didn’t win was a lack of quality with the final ball.
“A clean sheet is welcome so if you can’t win you do not lose.”
Bees’ top-scorer Toney let his disappointment boil over when he was shown a yellow in first-half stoppage time for booting the ball into the crowd following a miscued volley attempt.
Toney also blasted a shot high over the bar 16 minutes from time when cued up by substitute Yoane Wissa.
The World Cup hopeful’s most meaningful contribution came early in the second half – in his own area.
Kieffer Moore’s looping header from a Marcus Tavernier corner was nodded goalwards by Jefferson Lerma, only for Toney to get back and clear off the line.
Brentford were the better team and could have taken the lead after just three minutes. Chris Mepham’s poor pass from defence was seized upon by Mikkel Damsgaard and his shot was pushed behind by goalkeeper Neto.
Bees defender Kristoffer Ajer also put a free header over from Damsgaard’s cross. Bournemouth were convinced they should have been awarded a 22nd- minute penalty after Jordan Zemura tumbled over Ajer’s clumsy slide tackle.
Referee Thomas Bramall was sent to the VAR monitor but stuck by his original decision to give a goal-kick.