Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has weighed in on whether Newcastle United defender Malick Thiaw should have been sent off during the game.
By no means was the game a box office success, but it featured its fair share of controversies.
Newcastle United secured their fourth clean sheet in their first five Premier League games this season with a goalless draw against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
It was a brilliant defensive performance, with Eddie Howe opting to play with a back five rather than his traditional attacking 4-3-3 that he has become accustomed to. Dan Burn enjoyed a positive performance alongside Sven Botman and Malick Thiaw, who made his first start for the Magpies since signing for £34m in August.
Despite that, Newcastle’s attackers seemed to struggle throughout the game. Nick Woltemade lacked the right service, while Joe Willock looked out of his depth after being given the opportunity to impress under Howe.
The biggest talking point from the game is whether Newcastle should have seen Thiaw sent off for a second bookable offence late in the game. With the dust beginning to settle, Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has given his verdict.
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Andoni Iraola says Malick Thiaw should have been sent off for Newcastle United
Many fans knew it was going to be tough to get a result away at Bournemouth. Howe has never won against his former club at the Vitality, and it was the same result on Sunday.
Mark Clattenburg thought that Thiaw should have been sent off, and Iraola completely agrees. In his post-match interview with Sky Sports, Iraola was asked about the incident involving Thiaw and Ryan Christie, who made his return to Bournemouth’s starting XI after a spell on the sidelines.
“The Newcastle bench decided to take him out, it’s a clear second yellow,” he said.
“I don’t know if it would make a difference because there wasn’t much remaining.
“We have been very competitive and we have won games. We were competing very well. Some games we have been more brilliant than today. We need to keep building.”
Andoni Iraola brushes off Newcastle United penalty appeals
While Bournemouth may be unhappy about Rob Jones’ decision not to send Thiaw off, there was a controversial moment earlier in the game which needed to be looked at.
Woltemade was brought down inside the area while trying to chase down the ball. Jones waved the appeals away at the time, but replays showed that Bafode Diakate had pulled on the German’s shirt, which forced him to the ground.
Despite VAR checking the incident, nothing was given and the game went on as normal. When asked about the penalty call, Iraola simply said it was “nothing” and shrugged off the appeal.
Howe saw the situation differently, however, saying: “My gut instinct was a penalty. I was adamant it was. He was tugged and pulled and it stopped him getting a shot off.”
Either the red card or penalty could have changed the game dramatically, but both teams will be left wondering what if.
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