Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe rues costly decisions in Liverpool loss
Tuesday 18 August 2015 08:16, UK
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe was left in no doubt that two refereeing errors cost his side the chance of getting a result at Liverpool on Monday night.
The Premier League new boys lost 1-0 at Anfield after a controversial Christian Benteke goal was allowed to stand.
Benteke's 26th-minute strike was awarded by referee Craig Pawson despite Philippe Coutinho being in an offside position and attempting to play the ball in apparent contravention of the latest interpretation of the rules.
Howe admits he was particularly annoyed because the rule had been explained to all managers at a recent meeting.
"It is a clear offside under the new rules," said Howe.
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"We were sat out in front of the referees (before the season) and told about the new rules. I was very surprised at the time, even from my poor angle, that the goal was given.
"That is the clearest example of the new rule you will see. A yard and a half offside and he is clearly impacting the goalkeeper. I don't think that is a tough one."
That is basically a two-goal swing against us. Two big decisions have gone against us.
That decision compounded Bournemouth's frustration after captain Tommy Elphick was penalised for a foul on Dejan Lovren in the process of heading home from a corner in the fifth minute.
Howe added: "Tommy has won the ball fairly. He has been aggressive but if that is a foul, we will be having fouls every time a corner goes into the box. That cannot be a free kick in my opinion, no way.
"That is basically a two-goal swing against us. Two big decisions have gone against us."
It was Bournemouth's second successive 1-0 defeat after the opening-day loss to Aston Villa but Howe says he is pleased with how his side have acquitted themselves in the top flight so far.
Howe said: "We feel aggrieved we haven't come away with at least a point but I am very proud of the players and overall very pleased with the performances."
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