Andoni Iraola, Bournemouth boss, says that he felt “the most frustrated” he has ever experienced in all his time as a coach following Bournemouth’s stoppage-time goal over Newcastle, which was controversially overturned by VAR.
Dango Ouattara, who came into the match as a substitute, thought he had clinched a 2-1 win for Bournemouth against Newcastle with a 93rd-minute goal.
But Ouattara’s effort was disallowed for handball, as the VAR showed that the ball hit his upper arm rather than his shoulder before finding its way into the net.
“It’s the most frustrated I’ve been on a touchline,” said Iraola, who was booked for his protests.
“I went to talk to the referee but I think the referee cannot do much more. He gave the goal. [VAR] didn’t give him the chance to see it again.
“He heard me complain but it’s not against him. He cannot do much more. He’s not the one who made a mistake today.
“I understand the rule [and] they will try to make me think there is a part of reasoning there – but I completely don’t agree. It’s just common sense.
“Anyone who has played football and looks at the strength of the ball when it touches the back of the net knows that’s not handball, it’s a shoulder.”
Marcus Tavernier scored a well-deserved goal that put Bournemouth on the lead in the first half, converting a cross that came from Antoine Semenyo.
Evanilson, Bournemouth’s club record signing, who played his first match for the club, had a golden chance to get the victory in the second half but could not utilize another dangerous cross that came from the same Semenyo.
Newcastle performed below expectations in the larger part of the match but began to improve in the final stages.
Anthony Gordon made it a draw by tapping in a cross from Harvey Barnes at the far post after Neto saved a header from Joelinton.
The game then became tougher as both clubs continued to push for an extra goal to take the lead.
Semenyo was almost going to score with a deflected shot, and Dan Burn’s header was saved by goalkeeper Neto.
Bournemouth fans were all over jubilating with the thought that they had secured victory against Newcastle in the last seconds, but their celebrations were soon cut short when Ouattara’s effort was disallowed, leaving the team still searching for their first win of the season after two games.
“I thought the game was lost because I initially hadn’t seen anything wrong with the goal,” said Newcastle boss Eddie Howe.
“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.”