Cherries won’t abandon safety hopes, says Howe
BOURNEMOUTH boss Eddie Howe insists he will not give up on Premier League survival after being “deeply hurt” by a dramatic 2-0 defeat to Southampton.
VAR denied Cherries striker Sam Surridge a stoppage-time equaliser to leave their hopes of avoiding relegation hanging by a thread.
Southampton substitute Che Adams compounded Bournemouth’s misery by adding to
Danny Ings’ opener in the final moments — meaning the hosts remain three points adrift of 17 th-placed Watford, with an inferior goal difference and having played a game more.
Howe, though, will keep believing a great escape remains possible ahead of next weekend’s season finale at Everton.
“The key thing is while there’s still hope we have to believe, until such time as it is mathematically impossible,” said Howe. “You never know in football, crazy things happen.
“That’s my immediate thought, but very disappointed today. A big chunk of our destiny and our future was still sort of in our hands. It feels like that has slipped away a little bit.
“I am deeply disappointed, hurt, loads of different emotions are going through my body right now.”
Former Cherries striker Ings claimed his 21st top-flight goal of the season four minutes before half-time and saw a second-half penalty saved by goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale before the hosts thought they had snatched a late leveller through academy graduate Surridge’s low drive.
Their joy was swiftly cut short by an offside call against Callum Wilson made at Stockley Park, before Adams made matters worse by adding the visitors’ second and wrapping up all three points.
Howe said: “It was a very emotional game in many ways. The lads gave everything to the match.
“I thought at times we played very well, created a number of chances but ultimately our finishing and the last part was just missing, the break of the ball was slightly difficult for us.”