Controversial VAR call denies hosts at the death

Dango Ouattara had an injury-time goal controversially disallowed as Bournemouth had to settle for a point at home to Newcastle.

The substitute powered home Lewis Cook’s corner in the 92nd minute. It seemed inconclusive whether it had come off his upper arm or shoulder but VAR intervened to rule it out for handball, much to Newcastle’s relief.

#BOUNEW – 90+3’ VAR OVERTURN

Ouattara’s goal is awarded on-field. The VAR overturned the decision as they deemed it to be a factual handball by Ouattara, therefore an on-field review was not required and the goal was disallowed.

— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) August 25, 2024

Marcus Tavernier had earlier handed the Cherries a deserved first-half lead but the introduction of Harvey Barnes transformed the game and it was no surprise that it was his cross that enabled Anthony Gordon to fire Newcastle level with 14 minutes to go.

Newcastle rode their luck in seeing off Southampton 1-0 last weekend and fortune was certainly on their side at the Vitaly Stadium with Bournemouth thinking they had won it late on only for Ouattara’s effort to be ruled out.

The hosts bossed the early stages with Semenyo hitting the bar before he turned provider after 37 minutes, robbing Joelinton and then surging into the area and crossing for Tavernier to slot past Nick Pope at the far post.

The second half continued in similar fashion with Newcastle offering little in attack. Semenyo was the standout player and the former Bristol City winger almost created a second goal after 63 minutes with another low cross that new arrival Evanilson just failed to turn home.

Barnes, a 58th-minute substitute for the ineffective Jacob Murphy, gave Newcastle a cutting edge previously lacking and he fired a left-foot shot narrowly wide nine minutes after coming on.

Barnes then crossed for Joelinton to head on goal with only a smart stop from Neto keeping the effort out.

The former Leicester City winger did create the equaliser, though, with another good delivery from the left flank and Gordon was on hand to turn the ball in at the far post with Neto flapping.

The points are shared at Vitality stadium ⚖️#TheKickOff | #BOUNEW pic.twitter.com/bTwJlF0jvH

— Premier League (@premierleague) August 25, 2024

Alex Scott and Semenyo came close to restoring Bournemouth’s advantage almost immediately while, at the other end, Neto did well to keep out Bruno Guimaraes’ curling shot.

It looked like the home side had run out of ideas but one last effort resulted in a strong run from Semenyo and a Luis Sinisterra shot palmed over from Pope.

Cook swung over the resulting corner and Ouattara showed the greatest desire to make contact with the ball flying into the net.

There were few protests from the Newcastle defenders but VAR came to their rescue.