EPL

Howe 'very grateful' as Bournemouth fume at 'obvious' VAR error

By Sports Desk August 25, 2024

Eddie Howe was "very grateful" to see a late Bournemouth winner disallowed against Newcastle United, acknowledging he could not initially see any issue with Dango Ouattara's goal.

A controversial encounter on Sunday ended in a 1-1 draw after a stoppage-time effort from Ouattara was overturned following a VAR review.

The officials decided the ball had struck Ouattara's arm, rather than his head, from a right-wing corner, although referee David Coote did not visit the pitchside monitor to assess the incident.

The decision gave Newcastle a reprieve, having rescued a point through Anthony Gordon's equaliser after Marcus Tavernier netted the opening goal in the first half.

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola felt it was "so obvious" the ball had come off Ouattara's shoulder, and Howe appreciated it was "a contentious decision", even if he welcomed it.

"I thought the game was lost because I initially hadn't seen anything wrong with the goal," the Newcastle coach told BBC's Match of the Day.

"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."

Iraola added: "It was so obvious. I think everyone who watches the game would agree.

"I think the shoulder; it never touches his skin. We have very short sleeves.

"They say it is factual; show me the facts. I have just seen the video, and the fact is it doesn't touch the arm, it is the shoulder, a clear goal and three points for us.

"It is something that is not even controversial. It is definitely not something for VAR to intervene.

"I have nothing against the referee; he gave the goal, they did not give him the chance to see it again. [It was] someone in the VAR, who supposedly is not going to intervene too much, they say, because they trust the referee.

"It doesn't matter that I complain now; it is two points less."

Related items

  • Juventus swoop for Fiorentina star Gonzalez Juventus swoop for Fiorentina star Gonzalez

    Juventus have confirmed the signing of winger Nicolas Gonzalez from Fiorentina in a reported €32 million move.

    Gonzalez finished last season with 14 goal contributions in Serie A as Fiorentina finished eighth and reached the final of the Europa Conference League for the second year running.

    The forward also helped Argentina win the Copa America in the off-season, and on Sunday, completed his switch to Turin.

    Speaking of Gonzalez's addition, as well as the impending signing of Francisco Conceicao from Porto, new Juve boss Thiago Motta said: "They are strong players which is why they will come to our squad. Every player that arrives will give us a big hand to be competitive until the end.

    "That is the case for those already here and those who will arrive."

    Motta's team started their Serie A campaign with a 3-0 win over Cesc Fabregas' Como last week, and face Hellas Verona on Monday.

    "We remain with our feet on the ground after the first day of the championship," Motta said on Sunday.

    "Now we are on the second day, we face a team that is in good form after their victory against a team that is a serious candidate for the Scudetto.

    "We played at home against Como, which was a good performance and a good result for us. Tomorrow I expect a different story and we have to be ready for everything.

    "You look at it from the outside but from the inside my life is beautiful. I wake up early with great energy and enthusiasm to come to training.

    "I find myself with fantastic people who have that same enthusiasm. I find myself with guys who arrive with a huge desire to improve."

  • Nottingham Forest bring in Porto defender Carmo Nottingham Forest bring in Porto defender Carmo

    Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of David Carmo from Porto for £10m (€11.7m), with the defender going out on loan to Olympiacos for the season.

    The Portuguese-born defender, who represents Angola at international level, spent the second half of last season in Athens.

    Carmo joins on a five-year deal and is Forest's ninth signing of the summer transfer window.

    He began his career at Braga before moving to Porto for €20m in the summer of 2022, but only managed 27 appearances before being loaned to Olympiacos, who are owned by Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, in January.

    Meanwhile, reports emerged on Sunday that Forest's move to sign Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah had broken down.

    Nuno Espirito Santo's team are, however, rumoured to be in talks with Feyenoord over Mexico forward Santiago Gimenez, who scored 23 Eredivisie goals last term.

  • Liverpool still have a lot to prove, claims Slot after maiden Anfield win Liverpool still have a lot to prove, claims Slot after maiden Anfield win

    Liverpool still have "a lot to prove" despite maintaining their strong start to the Premier League season, so says new boss Arne Slot.

    Goals from Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah in Sunday's 2-0 win over Brentford continued the Dutchman's perfect record as Reds head coach following their opening-day win over Ipswich Town last week.

    Slot's side are yet to concede a goal this term, scoring four in return, as he became the first Liverpool boss since April 1991 to win his first two league matches in charge.

    Yet Slot knows it is early days as he aims to walk in the shoes of the legendary Jurgen Klopp.

    He told BBC Sport: "The fans loved to see the team playing really well but they also loved to see the team working very hard.

    "I liked what I saw so if I like it then mostly the fans like it.

    "Again we won against Ipswich, won against Brentford. Two good teams but I am not expecting them to be in the top six in the upcoming year so still a lot to prove for us in the upcoming weeks and months."

    Liverpool were frustrated in their attempts to extend their lead against the Bees by visiting goalkeeper Mark Flekken, who made six saves, but Slot was quick to point out the defensive solidity shown by his team, who limited Brentford to just 0.36 expected goals (xG).

    "Most importantly, we did not concede much," the former Feyenoord coach said.

    "The only big chance we conceded was a set piece and that is always so difficult when you play Brentford. They can threaten in many ways but one is certainly set pieces, and we controlled that quite well apart from that one moment."

    Slot also praised many of his players for returning from their holidays in fine physical condition, and he thinks that has been one of the main factors in Liverpool achieving two wins out of two so far.

    "The players came back after three weeks of holiday and in most cases two weeks before the start of the games but they came back really strong physically", he said.

    "Compliment to the players for how they came back and, like I have said, we haven't changed much compared to the former regime, so it is not so difficult for them to start playing again. That was a very positive thing."

    Slot's biggest test as Liverpool coach comes next week, with the Reds heading to Old Trafford to face Manchester United.

© 2023 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.