MX23RW : Wednesday, February 5 20:28:43| >> :60:2028:2028:
[monks data]
Bournemouth logo
Premier League | Gameweek 37
Jul 19, 2020 at 2pm UK
Vitality Stadium
Southampton logo

Bournemouth
0 - 2
Southampton


Billing (47'), Cook (78')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Ings (41'), Adams (90+8')
Vestergaard (34'), Ward-Prowse (90+3')

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe: 'Emotion is being taken away from football'

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe: 'Emotion is being taken away from football'
© Reuters
The struggling Cherries suffered VAR heartache against Southampton.

Eddie Howe believes emotion in football is being "wiped from history" by VAR after Bournemouth were pushed to the brink of Premier League relegation by a dramatic defeat to Southampton.

Cherries boss Howe thought his struggling side had snatched a precious point against their local rivals when academy graduate Sam Surridge fired home deep into stoppage time.

But the goal was disallowed following intervention from Stockley Park after Callum Wilson was spotted to have been offside in the build-up, allowing Saints to break forward and seal a 2-0 success at the Vitality Stadium.

AFC Bournemouth v Southampton – Premier League – Vitality Stadium
Sam Surridge, pictured waiting for the VAR decision against Southampton (PA)

Bournemouth suffered similar frustration in the recent goalless draw with Tottenham when England international Wilson had a last-minute effort ruled out on review for handball against Joshua King, while they controversially had two goals wiped out in the 3-0 loss at Burnley in February.

Howe's side are reliant on results elsewhere to remain in the top flight and he believes they have received "very minimal" benefit from VAR during  a difficult season.

"It hasn't only happened to us this season but it feels like we've been on the wrong end of a few calls that are so tight," said Howe.

"You have the Tottenham one and (Sunday's) one where the goals are given, there is a long pause and a long wait.

"You are fearing the worst and then that of course becomes reality and it's so difficult for the players who have shared that joy and then it's taken away.

"You go back to games earlier in the season that have really hurt us, you go back to the Burnley game where VAR was hugely influential. We have had our moments the other way but very minimal compared to the negative side.

"(It's) incredibly difficult for him (Surridge) and everyone connected with the club because I am sure there are thousands of supporters around the world feeling the same way.

"That's the downside of VAR because the emotion that the game has and what it means to people...it then gets wiped from history and that's a tough one."

Bournemouth finish the season at Everton on Sunday. They will be relegated before then, if managerless Watford avoid defeat against second-placed Manchester City on Tuesday evening.

Manchester City v AFC Bournemouth – Premier League – Etihad Stadium
Eddie Howe's team will be relegated if Watford do not lose to Manchester City (PA)

Howe insists his players must retain belief that a great escape is possible.

"Next weekend we want to still be in there with a chance," said Howe.

"It's very much out of our hands, we are reliant on other teams so we will have to see how the week progresses.

"We don't know what is the other side of this. It's been a very difficult season in many different ways.

"We still have a game to go, we still have a week left, and we're still in there so we will keep giving our all until that moment."

After Southampton top scorer Danny Ings claimed his 21st Premier League goal of the season and missed a second-half penalty against his former club, substitute Che Adams completed the win moments from the final whistle.

Adams' strike was just his second of a difficult first Premier League campaign since a reported £15million move from Championship club Birmingham.

Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl is backing the 24-year-old striker to be more prolific next season.

"It means a lot to him and also for us it was an important goal to win the game," said Hasenhuttl.

"It's important for him to get some self-confidence for next season and I am sure he will make more goals next season."

ID:407269: cacheID:407269:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:8762:
Written by
P A
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Leicester City's Caglar Soyuncu in action with Tottenham Hotspur's Toby Alderweireld in the Premier League on September 21, 2019
Read Next:
Sunday's Premier League predictions including Tottenham Hotspur vs. Leicester
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool23175156213556
2Arsenal24148249222750
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest24145540271347
4Chelsea24127547311643
5Manchester CityMan City24125748351341
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle24125742291341
7Bournemouth24117641281340
8Aston Villa2410773437-337
9Fulham249963632436
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2481063538-334
11Brentford2494114242031
12Crystal Palace247982830-230
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd2485112834-629
14Tottenham HotspurSpurs24831348371127
15West Ham UnitedWest Ham2476112946-1727
16Everton236892328-526
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2454153452-1819
18Leicester CityLeicester2445152553-2817
19Ipswich TownIpswich2437142249-2716
20Southampton2423191854-369


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!