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Date: 13 April 2024
This was very much a “two points lost” match rather than “one point gained”. But, in my opinion, we have only ourselves to blame – and I'll explain why.
Despite Semenyo and Tavernier both being unavailable Iraola was able to select a strong starting line-up including Sinisterra (whom, I confess, I’d almost forgotten). The United line-up was, arguably, stronger – featuring such household names as Harry Maguire, Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford. But considering that fact, surely even United fans would agree that their team’s performance was, today, underwhelming? Anyway, we got off to a good start when a mix-up by Manchester United’s midfield gifted the ball to Senesi, who aimed at Solanke who – despite needing to weave his way past several opponents – scored on 16 minutes. 1-0.
But when Solanke was subsequently brought down by a United player the referee, despite boos from the crowd, allowed play to continue and a distracted Bournemouth defence allowed Bruno Fernandes to score. 1-1.
An excellent goal from Kluivert, shooting when I think the opposition were expecting him to pass to a colleague, restored our lead. And although 2-1 would remain the score through till half time, there were more excellent scoring chances. One came when a Kerkez shot hit the crossbar and the ball came back to Kerkez who should have headed down into the goalmouth but instead headed high over the bar. Another chance also involved Kerkez, who crossed brilliantly to Kluivert but the latter’s shot was saved.
So it was 2-1 at the break but could have been 4-1 – or even more, because both Sinisterra and Ouattara had only just missed with shots earlier in the half. The trouble is, as we’ve discovered before, if you miss too many chances you eventually get punished – and that’s what happened again today. A ball hit Smith’s arm in the penalty area and although clearly unintentional the rules of the game say this is a penalty – and Fernandes scored from the spot. 2-2.
Another decision went against us in added time at the very end. We were initially given a penalty when Christie was bought down, but VAR overruled the referee because the incident had occurred (just) outside the box. Unal’s resulting free kick was put out for a corner. Bournemouth supporters wanted to blame the referee, the opposition, VAR, or almost anything for the fact that we’d failed to pick up three points today, but really it was our missed scoring opportunities that floored us. Rueing those chances I set off for home but was quite pleased, this having been a 5:30 kick off and a total of fifteen minutes having been added to the two halves, to arrive home at 9:30.
The team lined up as follows at the start of the game:
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Neto;
Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez;
Cook, Christie;
Ouattara, Kluivert, Sinisterra;
Solanke
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Neto;
Aarons, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kelly;
Cook, Christie;
Faivre, Unal, Kerkez;
Solanke
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