Bournemouth seek to eclipse Brighton’s remarkable record – but with a happier ending

The undefeated Cherries travel to Reading on Saturday night as they seek to extend their lead atop the championship standings and move closer to a remarkable record

Bournemouth’s electric start to the season makes them dream of a return to the Premier League.

Cherries were left out of the top flight in 2019-20 and came close to immediate promotion last season, eventually falling behind in the Championship playoff semi-final.

This time around, under new boss Scott Parker, they look more like a ruthless outfit. This is evidenced by their tight defense – they’ve only scored eight goals all season.

The key statistic, however, is in the loss column, which shows zero after 14 games.

Last weekend they tied a club record of 14 unbeaten games in a league season with a simple 3-0 win over Huddersfield.

Tonight’s trip to Reading represents a chance to break that record (set in the 1961-62 campaign). Moreover, they can also come closer and closer to a remarkable modern-day championship feat.

Their south coast rivals Brighton have gone unbeaten 21 games since the start of the 2015-16 season. It was not until their 22nd campaign exit that they tasted defeat.

Despite this incredible tally, Albion somehow missed the primary focus of the promotion. They would eventually end the season in third place, ahead of Middlesbrough, second on goal difference.

Chris Hughton’s side then lost to Sheffield on Wednesday in the play-off semi-finals and won a promotion the following year.

For Cherries chief Parker, his side are a long way from that Brighton record, but the ultimate goal will not be to score unbeaten streaks but to cross the promotion line in May.

He said: “What’s impressive right now is the way we do our job, winning games is a big achievement in itself.

“So even if there is a record to beat, as I always tell you, I’m not too focused on it.

“I give this team great props for where they are now and what we have been doing right now, of course it always helps if you break records it probably gives you a little bit more but the main goal is to maintain (the shape) really.

“Last year was obviously a disappointment (loss in the play-off), I understand, so there are probably psychological elements.

“But like everything, you start a new campaign and there is a bit of a hangover.

“But the boys really hit the ground running, they hit the ground based on what I asked of them and what I want from them.”

Kick-off at Select Car Leasing Stadium is at 8 p.m.