Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has dropped his two cents on whether or not Bournemouth were denied an injury-time penalty against Manchester United after Willy Kambwala’s challenge.
Bournemouth walked away with only a point from their Premier League clash on Saturday, despite leading Manchester United on two separate occasions.
Dominic Solanke fired Andoni Iraola’s men into the lead in the first half after United youngster Willy Kambwala slipped up in the build-up for the opener.
Bruno Fernandes cancelled out Dominic Solanke’s opener at the Vitality Stadium before Justin Kluivert restored Bournemouth’s lead ahead of half-time.
However, United climbed back into the contest in the second half after club captain Bruno Fernandes levelled the scoreline from the spot-kick.
Bournemouth thought they had the opportunity to snatch a late winner deep in second-half injury time after referee Tony Harrington pointed to the spot.
Ryan Christie pounced on a loose ball and charged into the United box, only to be met by a challenge from Red Devils defender Kambwala on the edge of the area.
Despite Tony Harrington initially awarding a penalty, VAR intervened and ruled out the decision before Bournemouth were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box.
Dermot Gallagher on Kambwala and penalty call
Erik ten Hag was forced to turn to Willy Kambwala and started the Manchester United centre-back for his second consecutive Premier League match.
The United manager has seen his defensive options ravaged by injuries, with 19-year-old Kambwala starting alongside Harry Maguire for the Bournemouth match.
Kambwala, who came through the United youth academy, struggled in the first half and was heavily exposed during his performance at the Vitality Stadium.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch, Dermot Gallagher insisted that Kambwala “can’t do much about” the challenge after colliding with Bournemouth’s Ryan Christie.
However, the ex-Premier League referee added that the challenge came outside the area and VAR was right to overturn Tony Harrington’s initial call for a penalty.
“A nice easy one to start with. A foul was given for a trip, it’s very difficult to say a trip carries into the area,” Gallagher said.
“There’s a coming together, there’s no doubt. Kambwala can’t do much about it. The trip actually happens outside of the area.
“The referee doesn’t have to go to the screen because it’s a factual decision, not a subjective one.”
Ten Hag on penalty decision
Speaking after the match (via Manchester United’s official website), Ten Hag made his stance clear on the late drama at the Vitality Stadium.
The former Ajax boss believes that Christie was at fault and accused the Bournemouth player of “running into” Kambwala during the injury-time incident.
“It [Kambwala on Christie] was not a penalty, definitely not,” Ten Hag said.
“I don’t think there was a foul and the player was running into our defender.
“We conceded in the last four games three penalties and all the penalties were debatable, as also was the penalty we won today.
“It [the handball against Adam Smith] was also debatable. So, we have to be honest.”