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Artur Boruc not to blame, says Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe

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Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe was left disappointed after his side drew 1-1 with Watford.

Eddie Howe refused to blame his goalkeeper Artur Boruc after his mistake helped Watford to a 1-1 draw against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Boruc gifted Watford's Odion Ighalo the opportunity to equalise on 45 minutes when the striker blocked the goalkeeper's clearance, rounded Boruc and tapped into the empty net.

Ighalo's goal cancelled out Glenn Murray's opener, but despite the error Howe believes his side did enough to get the three points, and did not blame his goalkeeper for the mistake.

AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe during the Barclays Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool.
Image: Eddie Howe refused to blame his goalkeeper for the error that allowed Odion Ighalo to equalise.

"It is another game where we feel like we should have won," Howe told Sky Sports.

"It's a disappointing result for us but in the main it was a very good performance.

"We encourage our players to play from the back and be brave, so I don't think there's any blame to be apportioned here.

"It's one of those things that happen in football.

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"Artur didn't mean to pass the ball to their centre forward. The disappointing thing for us was that we were well on top before half time and one goal probably wasn't enough for how dominant we were."

Despite Boruc's mistake, Bournemouth still had the chance to win the game but Murray saw his penalty saved by Heurelho Gomes with seven minutes to play.

"There was nothing wrong with the penalty," said Howe.

"I think it was a very good save from the goalkeeper. He's made two world class saves, the save from the overhead kick was incredible too."

Bournemouth's Glenn Murray celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the game
Image: Bournemouth's Glenn Murray celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the game

Murray, who capped his first Premier League start for the Cherries with a first-half goal, also believes his new club did enough to beat Watford.

"I think we did [deserve to win]," said the Bournemouth striker. "We had the better chances, and two individual errors cost us."