Rasmus Hojlund scored a stoppage-time equaliser to earn Manchester United a late point in their Premier League match against Bournemouth on Sunday.
The Cherries started off well on the south coast and limited United to very little before pouncing on a defensive mistake to score first, with Antoine Semenyo rifling in an accomplished finish to give them the lead at the break.
United toiled for much of the match and the Cherries came within inches of extending their lead as Dango Ouattara’s free-kick rattled the woodwork, before United were offered a lifeline as Evanilson was given a controversial red card after a VAR review.
United went up a gear after the sending off, with Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes going close, before the late pressure paid off for the visitors as Hojlund bundled in after Luke Shaw’s cross to rescue a point – and some pride – for United ahead of their Europa League semi-final.
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Man Utd leave it late as Rasmus Hojlund denies 10-man Bournemouth
Rasmus Hojlund equalised deep into added time as Manchester United capitalised on the dismissal of Bournemouth striker Evanilson to scrape a 1-1 draw at the Vitality Stadium.
Ruben Amorim’s men were on course for a 16th defeat of their worst Premier League season after gifting Antoine Semenyo a 23rd-minute opener.
But Evanilson’s 70th-minute red card for a lunging challenge on Noussair Mazraoui shifted the momentum before United escaped with a point thanks to Hojlund turning home from close range in the sixth of nine added minutes.
Up next
United’s next game is the first leg of their Europa League semi-final against Athletic Bilbao, which takes place on 1 May in the Basque city.
Bournemouth face Arsenal next, with that game kicking off at 5.30pm on Saturday, 3 May.
Iraola: “It is very frustrating”
Cherries boss Iraola says “it is very frustrating” to draw.
“This win would have meant a lot to us. A point is a big difference.”
On the red card, he adds: “Common sense. Everyone who has played football understands. He slips. He doesn’t catch him with the leg that goes high and the consequence is a red card. It is another three games without playing. The repercussions for us are huge.
“Of course we are going to appeal. It is common sense. In the first half Evanilson gets a kick in the chest by Casemiro. I don’t think you should have a red card for this. But the VAR cuts the worst angle, the worst frame.”
On the race for Europe, Iraola says: “We are in a worse position than the start of the weekend but we still have four games to play. Difficult games but we are in the fight.
“It is difficult to look in a positive way at the moment. We need a few hours.”
Scott: “A dagger to concede the goal”
Cherries midfielder Alex Scott says his side “worked so hard throughout the whole game”.
“We played really well, especially in the first half. It’s obviously unfortunate with the red card.
“Then you’ve got to dig in. It’s tough against a Manchester United team who haven’t had the best of seasons, but they’re still Man United. It’s a bit of a dagger to concede the goal at the end.
“We gave everything in that game. We maybe didn’t create enough chances, which is something we’ve lacked a bit recently. To concede after nine minutes were added on – I don’t know where nine minutes came from – you’ve got to take it on the chin.”
On Evanilson’s red card, he adds: “I could see on the pitch that he slipped. It looked like the ref didn’t want to give [the red card], but once he went to the screen we knew he was more likely to give it.”
Amorim reacts
Reacting to the results, Ruben Amorim says the game “was one point”.
“We could do better, we created chances but we need to do better near the box.
“It is small things. We have to understand the foot that is in play, crossing, one v ones. We need to understand the game in that way.
“Today we pushed our opponent, especially after the sending off. We had the chances but again we didn’t score.”
On the next game with Bilbao, he adds: “The way Bournemouth defend is quite similar, so we can take things from this game. But again it is a new history and we must do better.”
On Evanilson’s red card, he says that he “never comments on red cards, win, lose or draw”.
FULL-TIME! Bournemouth 1-1 Man Utd
Bournemouth now stay in 10th with that result, one point behind Fulham and Brighton above them.
Manchester United move up one place to 14th – they’re still yet to break 40 points this season.
Semenyo: “It feels like a loss”
Speaking to Sky Sports, Antoine Semenyo says: “It’s frustrating. We dominated most of the game. We went down to 10 men but I felt we were still quite comfortable.
“We defended so well. The goal we conceded is so frustrating. It feels like a loss, to be honest.”
“I feel like there wasn’t much more we could do. All we could do was defend as a group and hope not to concede. We’re just unfortunate to concede with the last shot they had.
“The teams above us can lose next week and we can go above them. We just have to go on to next week.
“We have a tough game [against Arsenal], but the boys will be confident enough going to the Emirates.
“It’s not getting easier, but I have full belief in the team that we can do something.”
On Evanilson’s red card, he adds: “Everyone’s just frustrated. There were challenges [like Evanilson’s] all game. It doesn’t make sense as to why that one was a red card.”
FULL-TIME! Bournemouth 1-1 Man Utd
It’s a disappointing result for Bournemouth, who were by far the better of the two sides for much of the game and suffered after yet another controversial VAR call.
United rescue a point and some pride, but the Cherries falter in their bid for European football.
FULL-TIME! Bournemouth 1-1 Man Utd
No time for more chances as the referee brings the game to an end!
Bournemouth 1-1 Man Utd
90 +9 mins
Poor from Shaw as his cross in is overhit.
Source: independent.co.uk
