AFC Bournemouth exited the Carabao Cup after a two nil defeat to Brentford in the second round at Vitality Stadium on Tuesday.
The visitors went ahead in the thirty fourth minute when Fábio Carvalho reacted first in the box to steer home after Kristoffer Ajer headed Rico Henry’s cross into his path.
Cherries head coach Andoni Iraola handed debuts to new signings Amine Adli and Ben Gannon-Doak, both named in the starting line-up. Justin Kluivert and Ryan Christie also made their first appearances of the season following injury, while Junior Kroupi was given his first start for the club.
Bournemouth had early opportunities, with Kroupi’s low drive testing Bees goalkeeper Hákon Valdimarsson inside two minutes. Christie later flicked a deflected shot onto the post, although the flag had already gone up for offside.
Brentford doubled their lead midway through the second half when substitute Igor Thiago converted Frank Onyeka’s cross, despite Bournemouth appeals for a foul in the build-up.
The Cherries pushed for a response, with substitutes David Brooks and Evanilson combining to create chances. Evanilson saw one effort cleared off the line by Ajer and another saved by Valdimarsson.
In added time Julián Araujo was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Thiago, leaving Bournemouth to finish with ten men.
The result ends Bournemouth’s cup run at the first hurdle, despite a night which featured several first team returns and debuts for new arrivals.
Bournemouth’s last notable Carabao Cup run came in 2014 when they reached the quarter-finals under Eddie Howe.
