Sunday 3 December 2017 17:23, UK
Eddie Howe believes Bournemouth were denied a clear penalty as his side drew 1-1 with Southampton in the south coast derby at the Vitality Stadium.
Adam Smith was booked for simulation by referee Jon Moss after he went to ground in the area under a challenge from Saints' Sofiane Boufal midway through the first half while the score was 0-0, with Howe convinced that the Morocco international had impeded his player.
"For me it's a stonewall penalty," said Howe. "I think anywhere else on the pitch it's a free-kick. I think the referee has probably tried to be a bit clever with it. As soon as Adam Smith got his toe to the ball before the defender I knew he was in trouble and that Adam was going to go over the leg because he had nowhere to go.
"I'm amazed it wasn't given and it's had a knock-on effect for us because now Adam Smith is suspended for the next game. I think it's a really poor decision."
Bournemouth took the lead when Ryan Fraser stroked home after Wesley Hoedt had been caught in possession by Josh King, but surrendered the advantage to a Charlie Austin goal just after the hour mark.
"I thought it was a very competitive game, quite even," Howe said. "A lot of chances at both ends. That's the pleasing things for us today, we really did work their goalkeeper. I thought, in general, our performance was totally different to Wednesday night. It was disappointing once we'd taken the lead not to win, but we have to acknowledge that Southampton did do very well at times second half.
"When you've defended so well for long periods of the game, to concede a scrappy goal... I didn't think we cleared the cross particularity well and then we get caught on the ball outside our box. You're going to pay for that with Charlie Austin against you."
Bournemouth had been denied in the first half by a superb save from Fraser Forster when Steve Cook's strike deflected off Jermain Defoe, and were presented with a golden chance to win the game in injury time as Nathan Ake rose to meet Jordon Ibe's corner but the former Chelsea man could not keep his header down.
Howe added: "The pleasing thing is we did respond and we finished the game very strongly. Their goalkeeper had a good day today I thought he made some really good saves.
"It's a big month every month in the Premier League, there's no way to escape it. It's a big month with the number of games that we have and the Carabao Cup game in there as well. It's a big month for everyone connected with the Premier League. If you can get some points in this month it sets you up well, and if you don't you're going to be in trouble."
