Bournemouth were controversially denied a penalty early in the second half of their 0-0 draw with Brentford at the Vitality Stadium.
Less than 90 seconds after the restart, Alex Jimenez threaded a pass through Brentford’s defence to Marcus Tavernier, who shrugged past Michael Kayode into the box and swept his shot onto the left-hand post. While it initially looked like Tavernier had lost his balance, replays showed Kayode catching his opponent on the Achilles as he approached the ball.
Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola told TNT Sports he believed the decision was clear: “I think it is a clear penalty. It’s impossible not to see it live, but even the VAR… I cannot accept it. It’s unacceptable.” Iraola said Kayode lost his position and stretched his leg, making contact that affected the finish, and added he was frustrated that VAR did not overturn the on-field decision.
VAR official Darren England reviewed the incident but no penalty was awarded.
Tavernier also told TNT Sports he thought it was a penalty. “As soon as I ran through, I felt contact on my arm and then on my Achilles when I went through,” he said. He added the referee told him the incident had been checked, and that, given the contact and his off-balance position in the air, he would likely have scored if untouched. “It’s unfortunate they didn’t pick it up, but we have to go again.”
Sky Sports’ Patrick Rowe, in analysis, described the non-call as “mind-boggling,” saying Kayode clearly caught Tavernier’s Achilles seconds before the shot and that Bournemouth were wrongfully denied the chance to decide the result from the spot. Rowe warned the missed decision could have consequences in a tight Premier League table.
Aside from the controversy, Bournemouth were the more threatening side for long spells. Tavernier forced two efforts onto the frame of the goal, including the post from the penalty-area run. Ryan Christie linked well with Evanilson and set up chances, with James Hill heading over from a cross. Christie had the best first-half opening when he combined with Evanilson and forced Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher into action.
Evanilson produced a slick individual run to beat two defenders and finish, but the flag spared Brentford as he was clearly offside. Late in stoppage time Junior Kroupi missed a point-blank chance, skewing a shot narrowly past the far post.
The draw leaves Bournemouth ninth in the table, while Brentford missed the opportunity to move ahead of Chelsea into sixth. The match will be remembered less for its football and more for the VAR controversy that denied Bournemouth what many felt was a clear penalty.