The Premier League has provided an official explanation regarding AFC Bournemouth’s disallowed goal during their clash with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon.
Andoni Iraola’s side had been the more dominant team in the first half and deservedly went into the break with a 1-0 lead, courtesy of James Tavernier’s determined finish. Bournemouth then believed they had extended their advantage just six minutes into the second half when Justin Kluivert produced a stunning finish at the end of a swift counterattack. However, the celebrations were cut short as VAR intervened, ultimately disallowing the goal and awarding Spurs a free-kick instead.
Shortly after the incident, the Premier League released a statement clarifying the reasoning behind the decision.
“VAR checked the referee’s call of goal and established that [Antoine] Semenyo was in an offside position in the build-up and recommended that the goal was disallowed,” the statement read.
While the decision itself was not particularly controversial upon review, it became a topic of debate due to the assistant referee’s failure to flag the offside infringement in real time. In recent seasons, there has been growing concern among managers regarding the practice of delaying offside calls, as it can lead to unnecessary injuries when play is allowed to continue.
Despite the setback, Bournemouth did not let the disappointment affect them and eventually doubled their lead in the 65th minute through Evanilson. However, Tottenham responded almost immediately, showcasing their resilience. Just two minutes later, Pape Matar Sarr reduced the deficit, injecting fresh energy into Ange Postecoglou’s team.
The drama continued as Spurs pressed for an equalizer, and their persistence paid off when Kepa Arrizabalaga brought down Son Heung-min inside the penalty area. The South Korean forward confidently stepped up to take the spot-kick, calmly dispatching it past Arrizabalaga to complete the comeback and ensure the match ended in a 2-2 draw.
With the hard-fought point secured, Tottenham now turn their attention to a crucial week ahead. They will face AZ Alkmaar in the second leg of their Europa League tie, aiming to progress further in the competition. Following that, Postecoglou’s side will travel to Fulham for their final Premier League fixture before the international break, a match that could prove significant in their push for European qualification.
As Spurs prepare for these pivotal fixtures, the Bournemouth clash serves as another reminder of the fine margins in the Premier League and the increasing influence of VAR in shaping crucial moments in matches.