Bournemouth 1 Newcastle 1: Match ends in major controversy as hosts’ last-minute winner is RULED OUT
BOURNEMOUTH were denied a stoppage time win over their former boss Eddie Howe after late VAR drama.
The officials chalked off the goal for handball despite it looking like the ball had struck Dango Ouattara’s shoulder before it hit the net.
Andoni Iraola was fuming and a a member of Bournemouth’s backroom staff was red carded by David Coote for his protests.
Howe was also clearly upset with his team’s performance, shaking his head in clear frustration before VAR came to his rescue.
The former Cherries gaffer played a seismic role on the south coast club’s 125-year history, lifting his home town club from League Two oblivion to Premier League stardom.
In two spells he transformed the cash-strapped minnows, who were in danger of going out of business and losing their league status, from underdogs to serious top-flight opposition.
But Howe sampled once again the torment of failing to beat his beloved Bournemouth in the Premier League for the fifth time of asking.
Liverpool-target Anthony Gordon salvaged a point for Newcastle 13 minutes from time after Marcus Tavernier had given Bournemouth a first-half lead.
Howe has now suffered four draws and a 2-0 defeat in Dorset.
The Cherries made five changes from the side that earned a late draw at Nottingham Forest, parading their new £40million Brazilian striker Evanilson for the first time.
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And Newcastle gave former Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly his full debut on his old stomping ground – no doubt to contest the strong and dangerous winger Antoine Semenyo.
Bournemouth’s billionaire US owner Bill Foley was also in town to take in the weekend’s 125th anniversary celebrations as well as watch one of the most eagerly awaited fixtures of the campaign.
Alexander Isak was put clear down the right and should have done better than allow Cherries goalkeeper Neto to save with his legs.
The Cherries had their best chance after 18 minutes when Ryan Christie played in Evanilson, whose first time effort was kept out of the net by goalkeeper Nick Pope’s outstretched leg.
And immediately at the other end, the ever-dangerous Isak placed a wonderful pass across the home which England star Gordon couldn’t quite get to.
Yet it was Newcastle who were saved by the woodwork on 27 minutes after a piece of magic by the irrepressible Semenyo.
Marcus Tavernier also worried Pope with a free-kick which hit the wall, forcing the stopper to concede a corner with the ball spinning towards goal.
But the former Middlesbrough star was soon celebrating his tenth goal for the Cherries on 37 minutes after more wonderful work by Semenyo.
The winger dispossessed Joelinton in the middle of the park and ran straight at the visitors defence before crossing the perfect ball for Tavernier to slot home.
The Ghana wide man moved inside to the edge of box and whipped a swerving shot over the air-borne Pope and onto the bar.
Former Bristol City star Semenyo was a constant menace for the Toon boys and his one-man assault continued after the break.
Howe had seen enough just before the hour and want-away Kieran Trippier replaced Tino Livramento, while Jacob Murphy came off for Harvey Barnes.
But it was still Semenyo who caught the eye again when he weaved in and out of tackles and came within inches of setting up a goal for Evanilson at the back post.
The Brazilian, signed from Porto as a replacement for Dominic Solanke, desperately stuck out his boot but he couldn’t get enough on the ball to deflect it home.
Newcastle fought back as Joelinton thought he had sneaked a leveller when he met Gordon’s cross perfectly with his head only to see Neto pull off a remarkable one-handed save.
Now the Magpies were swooping relentlessly on the Cherries goal and the breakthrough moment finally arrived 13 minutes from time.
Barnes made space for himself before lifting an exquisite cross that just evaded Milos Kerkez allowing Gordon to volley into the net.
Both sides went close to clinching victory in the dying minutes before Ouattara suffered at the death from VAR.
Even Newcastle legend Alan Shearer slammed the decision, tweeting: “A lucky point as that’s an awful decision re handball. Never handball for me.”