Cook to the rescue with late goal to spare Bournemouth’s blushes
A 93rd-minute equaliser from Steve Cook spared Eddie Howe another FA Cup embarrassment as Bournemouth escaped with a third-round replay against the impressive League One leaders Wigan Athletic.
The home team also had referee Andrew Madley to thank, after he waved away strong Wigan penalty appeals as Ivan Toney went down moments before Cook’s equaliser.
“Being honest, I think I’ve seen them given. It’s a tough call. I don’t think it was absolutely clear-cut,” said Howe.
Howe stood by his team selection after making eight changes following a punishing festive period during which Bournemouth earned five precious Premier League points.
“I felt the changes were right for us, for this game. I don’t regret them. It’s another game for us now,” he said, referring to next week’s replay at the DW Stadium. “It’s not ideal.”
Howe is idolised in Bournemouth for his achievements at the club but faced some rare criticism when he made 11 changes and slumped to a 3-0 defeat at Millwall last season.
He must have been fearing another barrage before Cook rose to head home Marc Pugh’s pinpoint cross in the dying moments after Bournemouth had trailed 2-0 at the break.
They were disjointed and totally outfought in the first half as Wigan made a mockery of their third-tier status, fully deserving their lead.
“I don’t think we quite got our rhythm going but I’m pleased to come back,” added Howe. “I think we should have won the game.”
Paul Cook’s Wigan side came into this tie on the back of a 10-game unbeaten run, with six consecutive clean sheets. The visitors’ bench was left incensed after their side were refused the late penalty, leading Madley to send Cook’s assistant, Leam Richardson, to the stands for his protests.
“Unfortunately the referee hasn’t given us it. I thought he [Bournemouth goalkeeper Artur Boruc] should have been sent off as well,” said Cook.
“There’s no criticism from me for the officials in any way, shape or form. It’s a difficult job and those split-second decisions are so tough. I’ve just been in to speak to the referee and I don’t mind saying that, at that stage of the game, common sense should prevail. The referee should have just come over and given everyone a lecture.”
The fiery Liverpudlian was able to smile after an enthralling match and was full of respect for the work Howe has done.
“When you come off the pitch in any sport I think it’s important you feel the lads have done everything they can,” Cook added. “The pleasing thing for the crowd in the stadium today is that you saw two teams really trying to win the game.
“I’m sure the Bournemouth players will tell you they’ve been involved in a good game. There are too many teams that park the bus today in my opinion, and we didn’t do that.”
Wigan took just three minutes to go in front, with Will Grigg on fire to sweep home Gavin Massey’s knockdown after Reece James’s deep cross, enhancing his cult-hero status.
It could have been worse for Howe’s men, who were dreadful in possession, and after half an hour, it was. The second goal, though, was fortuitous as Nick Powell’s free-kick looped off Emerson Hyndman in the wall and past the statuesque Boruc in the Bournemouth goal.
The home side had chances of their own and Wigan goalkeeper Christian Walton twice saved brilliantly from Lys Mousset, who was given a rare start in the Bournemouth attack.
Howe acted swiftly, bringing Pugh and Jordon Ibe off the bench at halftime and making several positional changes. The tactical switch worked and the home side were able to exert far more sustained pressure.
Ibe cleverly disguised a pass to Mousset, who lashed home his first goal for the club and brought Bournemouth back into the game.
With spaces opening up as both sides’ players tired, Wigan retained their threat despite both Grigg and Powell being substituted. The wonderfully named Max Power should have restored the two-goal cushion but fired wastefully over from the edge of the area.
Cook has an impressive goalscoring record for a defender and he almost levelled the scores as he headed Ryan Fraser’s corner on to the crossbar.
But the 26-year-old was not going to be denied and rose in the final seconds to head in Pugh’s cross and give Bournemouth the draw they had just about deserved, though neither manager seemed to be too excited at the prospect of an additional game.