Bournemouth vs Newcastle United. Premier League.
Vitality StadiumAttendance11,161.
Report and free match highlights from the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Newcastle United at the Vitality Stadium; the Cherries' Dango Ouattara was controversially denied a late winner after a VAR review
Monday 26 August 2024 07:10, UK
Bournemouth were forced to settle for a point after VAR denied them a stoppage-time winner in a 1-1 draw against Newcastle.
Dango Ouattara rose to head in Lewis Cook's corner from the right but, following a VAR review, he was adjudged to have used his left arm to help the ball over the line and so the goal was chalked out, much to the fury of Cherries boss Andoni Iraola.
"I'm not against the referee because he gave the goal and didn't even have the chance to go to the monitor and watch it. If he had the chance, I'm sure he would give the goal," the Spaniard said, speaking to Sky Sports after the final whistle.
"We have very short sleeves and the ball never touches the skin of Dango. They send us the diagram (to show what constitutes handball) and now they take this decision. Considering the minute it was, it's obviously three points for us."
Led by Alexander Isak, who was eager to get off the mark for the season, Newcastle made a promising start - until their momentum just dropped away and Bournemouth's press began to cause problems.
With 37 minutes gone, the hosts - who had hit the bar through Antoine Semenyo not long before - established a deserved lead over their passive visitors. Joelinton cheaply turned over the ball to Semenyo, who drove on and crossed for Marcus Tavernier to roll in.
The impressive Semenyo came close with another two openings himself, before putting the ball on a plate for Evanilson just after the hour. The Brazilian stretched to meet it at the far post, but somehow failed to convert a chance with an xG value of 0.63.
That afforded a Newcastle side growing in confidence the opportunity to level, which they did 13 minutes from time. Harvey Barnes' delicious cross flew over everyone in the box and dropped perfectly for Anthony Gordon, whose first-time connection beat Neto.
Following two big saves from Neto, Bournemouth thought they had won it in the 93rd minute. Ouattara, under pressure from Dan Burn, jumped and bowed his head to meet Cook's delivery.
The goal was given on the pitch, but on the recommendation of VAR Simon Hooper, Coote ruled the goal out, which quickly turned the atmosphere inside the Vitality hostile, as the sides shared the points.
Newcastle climb to fifth in the embryonic Premier League table as a result, with Bournemouth down in 14th after a second straight draw.
Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola speaking to Sky Sports:
"We should have won the game. We have lost two points and I will complain, but nothing will happen.
"I'm not against the referee because he gave the goal and didn't even have the chance to go to the monitor and watch it. If he had the chance, I'm sure he would give the goal.
"I'm completely sure. But he doesn't have the chance.
"They always say it's a factual decision - it's not a factual decision. We watched the video; the ball goes very strong after touching the shoulder.
"We have very short sleeves and the ball never touches the skin of Dango. They send us the diagram (to show what constitutes handball) and now they take this decision. Considering the minute it was, it's obviously three points for us.
"I'm very frustrated because my players deserved much more."
Jamie Redknapp on Sky Sports Premier League:
"I don't think it does [hit Ouattara's arm]... I don't think it's conclusive enough. I can feel the manager's pain. It looks more like shoulder to me.
"There isn't anything that's conclusive. There's still a grey area between the arm and the shoulder. They say it's about where the shirt sleeve ends. It looks more like shoulder to me.
"None of the Newcastle players complained and I just don't think it warranted that intervention. It hits him high up on the shoulder. It's a really disappointing one for them. It feels more shoulder than arm."
Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo speaking to Sky Sports:
"We got back into the changing room and everyone was pretty angry that the second goal didn't count. We've seen the replay back and it's come off his shoulder, so we feel like the ref's made the wrong decision, but we'll take a point.
"I feel like we've been hard done by, but we can't do anything about it now."
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on VAR ruling out Dango Ouattara's late goal to the BBC:
"I thought the game was lost because I initially hadn't seen anything wrong with the goal.
"We have had it both ways. We have had it for us and against us and we are very grateful for that moment because we have battled hard. What we had at that stage of the game was a valuable point. But I understand that it is a contentious decision.
"I think a draw was fair, but Bournemouth may have a different perspective. They did cause us problems with their quick attacks and while I think we had more chances to score more than one, I think they would probably argue the same. With that, I think a draw was fair.
"In that second half we were a threat from set-plays and crosses and we are frustrated that we haven't scored more than one."