We celebrated twice but there was no joy at Burnley

There is no doubt that VAR has changed football in the Premier League. You won't get clearer evidence of that than the defeat that Bournemouth suffered at Burnley. Matters conspired against the Cherries in some dramatic moments but it is becoming hard to celebrate goals these days when we know that VAR can take them away in a matter of minutes.
VAR took away potential points for the Cherries.That is what happened at Burnley. I thought the goal that King thought he had scored was particularly unlucky in that Billing was not looking at the ball, but was turning away from it when he was judged to have handled it with the ball coming off his shoulder before king rushed in to score. There is no doubt thought that Billing's contribution was key in the goal being scored and if the ball was redirected towards goal because of his intervention from a part of his body that is technically up for scrutiny in the rules, then you can understand why the VAR decision was made. There was no intention from Billing and it was perhaps ball to shoulder rather than shoulder moving towards the ball. The shoulder is not actually considered part of handball, so Bournemouth were very unlucky.

Advertisement Eddie Had a Dream is on sale now!The second decision for the handball from Adam Smith was much harsher. It not only ruled out a goal for Bournemouth but gave a penalty to Burnley as well. A two-goal swing if you like made by VAR and not the referee. Mike Dean didn't see any problem with Adam Smith's clearance at the time and whether it was a clear and obvious mistake by the referee was sure to be questioned by Eddie Howe. Sadly, any criticism of the officials and, more than ever VAR, has to be put aside and Bournemouth have to recover their spirit.

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For both goals Bournemouth fans thought they had got closer towards safety and it was cruelly taken away from the team. But these knocks can make Bournemouth stronger. The players will feel that they deserve more from games and they'll be even more fired up for the next match.

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