Bournemouth have become the first team in Premier League history to take the lead in each of their opening three matches without winning any of them.
The sequence represents an unusual statistical first since the Premier League was established in 1992. Although Bournemouth’s failure to win during the opening rounds is not, by itself, a record, the circumstances behind it have created a notable piece of league history.
In all three matches, Bournemouth scored first and moved in front. However, they were unable to turn any of those advantages into victories, leaving them without a win despite leading in every game so far.
That makes the club the first Premier League side to begin a campaign with three matches in which it took the lead but ultimately failed to claim victory. The run underlines the difference between making a strong start in a match and protecting that advantage until the final whistle.
Bournemouth will have the opportunity to end the sequence when they return to Premier League action next weekend. Their next fixture is at home against Brentford on Saturday, 12 September.
The match will offer Bournemouth another chance to secure their first victory of the campaign. It will also provide an opportunity to move beyond a statistic that is unusual rather than positive: the club have repeatedly been in a winning position, but have not yet converted any of those starts into three points.
There is also an added curiosity surrounding the fixture. Bournemouth will be hoping to win even if they do not score first against Brentford. After taking the advantage in each of their first three matches and still failing to prevail, the most important outcome in the next game will be the result rather than the order in which the goals are scored.
The meeting with Brentford is scheduled to take place at Bournemouth’s home ground next Saturday, 12 September. A victory would bring an end to the club’s winless opening and ensure that this distinctive Premier League record remains only a footnote to the start of the season.