Eddie Howe and Alan Shearer disagree over 'lucky' Newcastle United claim after Bournemouth draw

With the game level after Anthony Gordon cancelled out Marcus Tavernier’s 37th minute opener, the Cherries thought they had won it deep into stoppage time when Dango Ouattara headed home from an in-swinging corner.

The goal was initially awarded by referee David Coote before VAR intervened after the ball hit the top of Ouattara’s arm.

“I haven’t seen it,” said Howe. “I mean, it was a welcome surprise because our players weren’t appealing so I’d be interested to see the replays but we’ve had a VAR decision go for us and go against us, this one is for us but the crucial thing is there was just no time left in the game so that was a massive relief for us.”

Newcastle legend Alan Shearer labelled the decision to disallow the goal as “awful” and said Howe’s men were “lucky” to leave the Vitality Stadium with a point.

The 54-year-old also wrote on X that “other than the first 10 mins that was awful. Second best in everything. Body language in that first half was awful. Bournemouth miles better.” But Howe believes a draw was a fair result.

Howe added: “Bournemouth may have a different viewpoint. I think a draw is a fair result from my perspective, I think a defeat would have been really harsh on us especially with everything we’ve given in the game with the amount of chances we created in that second-half.

“Their goalkeeper’s performance, generally, was very good.. We’re a bit frustrated with some of those chances because I think on another day we score them. Both teams can be content with a draw.

“We started the game really well, I was really pleased with the first 15 to 20 minutes, we looked really good. The midfielder, we were controlling the game, and then we lost control of the game, not in an absolutely clear way but just our early dominance faded and then Bournemouth came on strong and we conceded when they had their period of pressure.

“That was disappointing for us because we’re chasing the game and it’s very difficult to do that in this league, especially against a team that counter attacks so well. I was disappointed with that period until the substitutions and then I thought the substitutes transformed our performance, they deserve huge credit. In the end, it was a good point for us.”