AFC Bournemouth came from two goals behind to snatch a stoppage-time equaliser against the Premier League’s bottom side Sheffield United.
It was evident that it was just “one of those days” for the Cherries as a dominant display was looking like earning no points as the scoreboard clock ticked beyond 90 minutes, the Dean Court faithful had already seen Dominic Solanke slip over whilst trying to dispatch a first-half penalty and then when he did get the ball in the back of the net during the second-half, VAR were so desperate to find a reason to disallow it that after a check for offside they managed to find a television angle that suggested the ball may have briefly grazed his arm.
Sheffield United were desperate to come away from the game with something and all of the dark arts were in play, especially with their goalkeeper, where it felt that time not only stood still at every goal kick, but may well have started to go backwards..
However, goals from Dango Ouattara and Enes Unal, saw the visitors fail to leave with all three points as their despondent players all fell to the floor on 90 minutes, an immediate return to the Championship awaits them.
After the match, AFC Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola told the Daily Echo…
“I’ve seen just one replay.
“I’m not sure if he touches the ball with the arm, but according to the rules, if he touches the ball with the arm even if it’s a little bit, it has to be disallowed.
“I remember also another one in Old Trafford disallowed for Dango (Ouattara), that doesn’t change the play.
“It’s going to be the same, but just if you have a small touch it’s disallowed.
“I haven’t seen all the replays. But if he has touched the ball with the arm – I don’t know, it should be obvious.”
Man of the match against Sheffield UnitedO. Dango
Christie
Neto
Mepham
Unal
Someone else
|
NWCherries98
Hard to pinpoint what exactly was wrong. I guess for me the main problem was that triangle of Kerkez, Tavernier, and Christie while they were on. Seemed to constantly have the ball and kept passing between themselves without doing anything. One of Christie’s worst games in a while, and Tavernier needs dropping and has done for a while. Kerkez very disappointing.
Zabarnyi and Mepham were good I thought. Would have to watch the goals back cos obviously conceding 2 to this dross isn’t a good look. But both were good. I would have started Ünal personally, Dom didn’t look right.
I think we should stick to the double pivot of Cook and Christie for now, and Kluivert I don’t think played that badly either. But yeah, the winger positions are definitely there for the taking. Sinisterra has to start, and I think Dango is making a genuine case to start at LB ahead of Kerkez.
What a disappointing performance.
The boss was left frustrated with aspects of today's draw. pic.twitter.com/iuTDUkBFkK
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) March 9, 2024
Bishop
Another two points thrown away. Struggling for home form but outplayed them today and poor goalkeeping cost us.
I think AI must be nervous playing Kerkez and Sinisterra together as Tavernier hasn’t deserved his place for a while now.
Glad for Unal, he looks like he can play.
Another poor ref, stop start stop start, just let the game flow.
Another point UTC
dragonm8
Great to see Unal get a goal and salvage the game.
The level of urgency shown in the last 15 mins was what was needed the entire second half.
Sinisterra looked great.
Solanke needs longer studs, or we need to stop watering the pitch excessively..
Neto, gave the blades 2 goals today.
Rescued a point from what looked like an embarrassing loss.
Good game to watch though.
"It's the worst rule ever, they need to change it"
Solanke sees strike disallowed for handball by VAR 😬 pic.twitter.com/96gQMtKV5X
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 9, 2024
