Manchester United came from behind twice through Bruno Fernandes to salvage a 2-2 draw after dire display at Bournemouth.
Fernandes scored a volley and a second-half penalty after the Cherries took an early lead through the prolific Dominic Solanke and then restored their advantage thanks to team-mate Justin Kluivert just before half-time. In dramatic fashion, Bournemouth were awarded a penalty deep into injury time, but it was soon overturned by VAR after Willy Kambwala's foul on Ryan Christie was adjudged to be outside of the 18-yard box.
Erik ten Hag's side - who dropped to seventh in the Premier League table following Saturday's results - were dominated for large periods of the game, showing no concrete signs of ending what's been a wretched campaign on a high. As for Andoni Iraola's men, it was yet another impressive result and performance in a superb season.
Here are five talking points from the Vitality Stadium.
1. Solanke shows Kambwala who's boss
After such an impressive performance against Liverpool, United fans were relishing the chance to watch Willy Kambwala back in action - until the 16th minute. Having risen to the test against Darwin Nunez last weekend, Kambwala's task this time around was to stop Dominic Solanke, who's enjoying a career-best season.
World Cup hero wants Man Utd move as doubts over Harry Maguire's future grow
Full of confidence, the Bournemouth striker capitalised on a turnover of possession from United's goal kick - courtesy of Alejandro Garnacho's poor control - and held the 19-year-old defender off before coming inside. A bamboozled Kambwala stumbled to the floor and as partner Harry Maguire shuffled across, Solanke pulled the trigger and lashed a shot past Andre Onana to give the Cherries an early lead.
The striker's precise finish brought him onto the 17-goal mark, the most ever from a Bournemouth player in a single Premier League season. Solanke didn't get a call-up for the March internationals, but he still has a chance to be on the plane with England come June.
Your turn! Should Dominic Solanke be in the England squad? Let us know your stance in the comments section.
Dominic Solanke punished a punch-drunk Manchester United early on (ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)2. Kluivert cancels out Fernandes
With United showing signs of sobering up and Bournemouth failing to make any of their pressure pay after Solanke's opener, Bruno Fernandes hit back by profiting off some pinball in the Cherries' penalty area. All of United's forward line were involved, with Alejandro Garnacho firing a low cross which deflected in the air and allowed Fernandes to hammer in a shot above goalkeeper Neto.
Five minutes later, though, Bournemouth were back in the lead, this time through Justin Kluivert. The Dutchman found himself in acres of spaces between Diogo Dalot and Kambwala, eventually squaring the France youth international up and slotting in at Onana's near post. It should've at been 3-1 soon after, too, as left-back Milos Kerkez fluffed his lines before Kluivert forced Onana into an excellent save on the brink of half-time, with Erik ten Hag needing to ask his side some serious questions.
Justin Kluivert restored Bournemouth's lead five minutes after Bruno Fernandes had made it 1-1 (ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)3. Ten Hag faced with damning truth
As well as goals, plenty has been made of how many shots United have conceded this season, a criticism which Ten Hag has attempted to brush off by explaining how his side often defend deep and invite attacks. Perhaps supporters would be more understanding if the Red Devils weren't punished so often for that approach - and weren't statistically a shambles.
As Bournemouth dominated the first 45 minutes, United conceded their 565th shot in the Premier League this season, the club's most in a single campaign since 2003-04. That, given that there was six-and-a-half games to go at half-time, simply isn't sustainable.
Erik ten Hag's Manchester United aren't showing signs of improvement (Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)4. Amad finally turned to
Whatever comes of Amad's Manchester United career, he'll always have that extra-time winner against Liverpool in the FA Cup. It only added to the narrative that he was sent off for taking his shirt off during the carnage which ensued while celebrating his late goal, meaning he'd miss the Red Devils' next match.
Surely, though, he'd be back involved afterwards, right? As it transpired, no. Having been made to sit on the bench against Chelsea and when United faced Liverpool in the league - despite Garnacho being brought off in both games - fans were left scratching their heads as regards to Amad's absence.
Amad was given the opportunity to impress by coming on at half-time (ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)So, when the Red Devils emerged after half-time chasing the game in the south-cast sunshine, Ten Hag finally gave the 21-year-old playmaker the nod as he replaced the sloppy Garnacho, who was showing signs of fatigue during his 30th start in a row. Amad did his best to cause Bournemouth problems, but it was another teenager whose efforts helped United draw level again.
Erik ten Hag's quiet revolution continues as Man Utd make it Magnificent Seven
Kobbie Mainoo's long-range shot took two deflections, the second coming off Adam Smith's arm inside the hosts' penalty area, prompting referee Tony Harrington to point to the penalty spot. VAR didn't intervene and Fernandes coolly sent Neto the wrong way and made it 2-2 with just over half an hour remaining.
5. (No) penalty drama
Just as the contest was fizzling out deep into added time, Bournemouth were awarded a penalty when Ryan Christie was brought down by Kambwala. However, replays shows that the contact was narrowly outside the box and VAR overturned Harrington's on-field decision and the match ended in a draw after the Cherries's free-kick and subsequent corner were cleared.
Bournemouth enjoyed the bulk of possession late on but were toothless in attack, while United relied on breakaways in a bid to breach the Cherries' rearguard for a third time. The result leaves Bournemouth 12th in the table, with the threat of relegation long gone. Meanwhile, the Red Devils are now seventh after Newcastle's 4-0 win against Tottenham earlier on Saturday, meaning that Ten Hag's side could miss out on Europe altogether next season.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
