Howe’s that for a close one?
Cook pots late equaliser for Eddie’s slow starters
EIGHT changes, two early goals conceded and one last-minute equaliser. Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth were barely recognisable and had to do a lot to avoid an upset against Wigan after going two down inside the opening 30 minutes.
Disorganised, lethargic and lacking creativity, this was similar to when Howe’s side crashed out at the same stage last year against Millwall. But Steve Cook’s late, late equaliser kept their FA Cup hopes alive this time.
Wigan were the opposite; industrious, tenacious — it is easy to see why they are top of League One.
Paul Cook’s side probed early on and got their reward as they went ahead less than five minutes in.
Michael Jacobs ran down the left and his attempt at a cross was deflected, but the ricochet went to team-mate Reece James.
Picking up the ball, James turned and swung a delivery into Will Grigg’s path. The Northern Irishman did the rest as he buried the ball past Artur Boruc.
Bournemouth had chances to pull one back but were denied by a series of fine saves from Christian Walton and a brave block by Nathan Byrne.
‘Premier League, you’re having a laugh,’ taunted the Wigan fans as they began to take control of the game through the hard work of Max Power and Egyptian skipper Sam Morsy. The travelling fans had more reason to chant as the halfhour mark drew near.
Nick Powell’s 30-yard shot sailed wide but he had a chance to make amends moments later from a freekick. About 25 yards from goal, Powell cannoned his shot into the Bournemouth wall protecting Boruc, only for the ball to take a deflection off Emerson Hyndman and fly into the net.
Two goals down with less than thirty minutes played, Howe’s men did not look up for the Cup.
Chaotic at the back, they had no way through in attack, either, as Wigan’s excellent Dan Burn headed and hoofed every ball away until half time.
Howe said: ‘Wigan started the game really well and we were slow out of the traps. Possibly the changes we made upset the rhythm of the team. But I’d be surprised if the players didn’t know what I expect of them. I don’t think conceding as early as we did helps the atmosphere in the stadium but we did manage to create a number of opportunities after that.
‘Vindicated or not for making the changes, it was a good opportunity to see new players and rest some that are carrying injuries. Obviously another game is not ideal, but that is something we’ll deal with when it comes.
‘We made some changes and had a better balance at half time and the team had a better look.’
The atmosphere Howe referred to saw his team booed off at the break. Marc Pugh and Jordon Ibe were brought on and that seemed to do the trick as Bournemouth finally found some impetus.
They went ahead through a wellplaced shot from Frenchman Lys Mousset and the fans were back on board, sensing they could salvage something from this tie.
Callum Wilson’s introduction got the loudest cheer of the afternoon and he proved to be the attacking spearhead the home side had been sorely lacking.
Time and again they tested Wigan but the near-faultless Walton kept the attacks at bay.
Penned in their own box, Wigan broke through Ivan Toney who went down in the Bournemouth penalty area with two minutes left. No penalty given, despite Wigan’s protests — indeed, assistant manager Leam Richardson was sent to the stands because he was so incensed by referee Andy Madley’s call.
‘The decision is a big one,’ said Wigan boss Cook. ‘I thought he should have been sent off. For me its a simple decision, the lad has gone round the keeper and goes down. Those split-second decisions are tough to get. In all I was pleased with how we played.’
The ruling was to prove decisive when substitute Marc Pugh’s cross at the other end of the pitch was met by Cook’s header and the Premier League side snatched a draw with 90 seconds left.
This selection was a gamble by Howe which didn’t pay off. Given their busy campaign to stay in the top flight, an extra trip to face a Wigan side who may just have the measure of them is something Bournemouth could do without.