Bournemouth veteran says Simon Hooper refused to give him an explanation after the full-back was penalised for handball just outside the area and Bruno Fernandes scored from the free-kick
Bournemouth captain Adam Smith during the draw with Man Utd at Old Trafford
Bournemouth captain Adam Smith believes referee Simon Hooper made a big mistake in the thrilling draw at Old Trafford
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Almost forgotten in the aftermath of such a breathless carnival of goals and misses was a refereeing decision that could go down as one of the worst of the season. Certainly according to Bournemouth players, that is.
Old Trafford on Monday night was a tough gig for Simon Hooper. It was fast, it was frenetic, it had its usual quota of player con-artistry.
If Hooper got the odd thing wrong, it was understandable. And even though he could have dismissed Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo for grabbing Diogo Dalot, the Manchester United man’s initial offence - the dangerously sly shove on an airborne player that could cause serious injury - made Hooper’s leniency more understandable.
What was not understandable, though, was how Hooper adjudged Adam Smith to have handled at point-blank range when the ball clearly hit the powerless Bournemouth captain high on the bicep - in fact, more like his shoulder. He was no more than a yard away.
It was an unfathomable decision - one that Hooper thought he did not need to explain to Smith but one that, according to the Cherries man, United players considered a gift. After dramatically taking a 3-2 lead early in the second half, Bournemouth appeared to have taken the sting out of United and calmed the game down.
But along came Hopper’s handball decision, a wonderful free-kick from Fernandes and proceedings erupted again, Matheus Cunha putting United ahead before Eli Junior Kroupi’s final equaliser. But after such a tumultuous night, it was Hooper’s harshness that will stick with Smith.
Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo Manchester United's Diogo Dalot both being shown yellow cards after clashing in the first-half
Simon Hooper showed first-half yellow cards to Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo and Manchester United's Diogo Dalot
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He said: “We conceded a sloppy goal straight before half-time which angered us and that showed. As soon as we came out for the second half, we scored (twice) straight away.
“Then - surprise, surprise - the referee gives not a great decision because it hit my shoulder from one yard, so what am I meant to do with my arms? I don’t know.
“He didn’t even want to talk to me, which is even more disappointing. Even the Man United players said it wasn’t handball!
“As a defender I just do not know what to do anymore. It’s one yard. It’s actually not even one yard - it’s right next to me! It’s hit this [top of sleeve]. I thought this wasn’t handball any more?
“He didn’t even want to speak to me. He said “I don’t want to talk to you right now”. Then he booked me after the goal. It’s really frustrating, really frustrating.”
Bruno Fernandes celebrates after scoring his team's third goal from a free kick during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Bournemouth.
Bruno Fernandes capitalised on Simon Hooper's decision by firing home a sensational free-kick
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And while United’s attacking display in the eight-goal draw has won a lot of praise, Smith - who has been at Bournemouth for over a decade - reckons it was Andoni Iraola’s side who should have claimed all three points. Smith went on: “We should have won. I was honestly gutted not to win.
"The way United play is really tough to play against. On the other hand, on the counter ,you can really, really punish them.”
Iraola’s side have now gone seven Premier League matches without a win, losing four of those. But Smith feels that record is another an inaccurate reflection of their form.
He said: “It’s been little things that have gone against us. Against United, we are winning and that decision goes against me and the team. Little things like that can swing games. Sometimes you need a bit of luck and if we keep playing like that I’m sure we can climb up the table.”