AFC Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth took the lead and were a constant threat on their first trip to the Brentford Community Stadium, but were caught by two headers in losing 2-1 in their last match of 2020.
An electric start saw good chances created by both sides, the Cherries making one of theirs count after a cutting passing move ended with Dominic Solanke adding to his season's tally with a finish from close range.
The lead lasted just eight minutes, however. Henrik Dalsgaard heading home for the Bees ahead of the interval.
The away side looked the more likely for much of the second half, but were undone by a second header, this time from substitute Tariq Fosu.
Attack on top of defence for much of the encounter between the division's two top-scoring sides, there was to be no equaliser for Bournemouth who dropped to their third Championship defeat of the season.
Following an unexpected 11-day break over Christmas, Jason Tindall named an unchanged team for the fourth straight match, his side ready for their first fixture at the newly-opened home of the Bees.
Getting started in cold but still conditions, the pitch well watered ahead of kick-off, and inside a minute the Cherries were within inches of grabbing the lead.
Jefferson Lerma drove forwards in the away side's blue change strip, slipped a ball through for Solanke, the striker poking in a shot which 'keeper David Raya got a touch to with his leg, the ball bobbling in before Pontus Jansson recovered dramatically to slide and hook off the line.
Danger man Ivan Toney scuffed a speculative half-volley wide, though it was the away side who were the brighter starters and after Philip Billing threaded through for Solanke, the latter's shot was blocked by the retreating Rico Henry.
A threatening Dalsgaard centre was hacked away from inside a crowded area but only to Brentford midfielder Mathias Jensen who swept over from range.
The red-hot start showing no sign of cooling, some neat interplay from Billing and Solanke again opened up the Bees' rearguard, a goal seeming inevitable with the ball squared for David Brooks but smothered away inside the six-yard box, again by Henry.
Sergi Canos drifted leftwards across the perimeter of the area, letting fly with a low strike that only narrowly passed the post, the game remaining goalless.
A wide set piece emerged for the hosts after a foul by Adam Smith, Jensen swerving in a shot unexpected by some but not Asmir Begovic who blocked away at his near post.
The Bosnian's palms were stung again when Canos drove in after a wriggling run from the right, Begovic then fouled as he came to claim the corner.
The home flicker was soon extinguished by a ruthless Cherries attack that ended with a neat finish from Solanke.
The ball pinged between visiting team-mates in the final third, Lewis Cook's ball to Lloyd Kelly swiftly swung low into the danger zone with Bournemouth's top scorer aware and timing his near-post run perfectly to divert home.
Brentford went about finding an equaliser, and soon found one in the 37th minute via a corner, a first the Cherries had conceded in eight hours and 29 minutes.
Begovic had initially saved well from Bryan Mbeumo, but there was nothing the 'keeper could do when Dalsgaard slammed home a header from Jensen's flag kick.
More twinkle-toed forward play allowed Junior Stanislas to cross low. Having been cleared for a corner the ball dropped to Brooks, but he wasn't able to catch his shot cleanly and Raya gathered under his bar.
The half-time whistle sounded with the teams back level after a high-octane half of open and entertaining football in west London.
The second period beginning without changes to either line-up, Bournemouth enjoyed some early-half possession, though there were defensive hearts in mouths when Canos broke into the area, Jack Simpson in the right place to extinguish the attack.
Brooks fired in a shot from inside the angle of the box, Raya saving, the game still there for either side to seize - and both were doing their all to that end - as the match clicked until the final half an hour.
Stanislas looked to catch out the 'keeper with a shot from a set piece, at the other end Begovic holding on from Mbeumo's effort.
Joshua King was introduced for Lewis Cook with Tindall's first change of the evening, the Norwegian surging into the area and striking cleanly but too close to the 'keeper.
The visitors were turning the screw, Brooks' footwork looking to unpick locks.
However, with just over ten minute remaining it was the Bees who hit the game's third goal, against the run of play.
Mbeumo crafted room towards the right side of the area, lofting up a cross which saw his opposite winger Fosu run in to meet the delivery, heading down and into the net to claim the advantage for the hosts.
Sam Surridge was introduced to add a further attacking option for Bournemouth, replacing Brooks ahead of four minutes of additional time at the end of the 90.
Billing tumbled in the area following a Billing long throw, nothing given, Brentford then breaking with Begovic saving from Jensen to maintain away hope.
Stanislas struck wide from range, the match and calendar year soon closing without any further points added to the Cherries' Championship total.
