'Ugly scenes' involving a 'grappling' Jordan Henderson mar Bournemouth-Brentford finale as Andoni Iraola says he 'cannot accept' VAR mistake

React to this story

Tempers flared at the final whistle as Bournemouth and Brentford played out a goalless draw in the Premier League. The meeting between two sides with European ambitions ended in stalemate at the Vitality Stadium but it was a match rich in chances and controversy. When referee Craig Pawson finally brought an ill-tempered encounter to a close, Jordan Henderson became embroiled in a grappling match.

Watch: Henderson 'grapples' in 'ugly scenes' at end of Bees-Cherries clash

Video credit: TNT Sports

Tempers boiled over at the end of Bournemouth's goalless draw with Brentford in a Premier League match that was far from incident-free.

A game between two European hopefuls ended in a stalemate at the Vitality Stadium but there was no shortage of chances and talking points.

After referee Craig Pawson concluded an ill-tempered game, head coaches Andoni Iraola and Keith Andrews shook hands on the touchline.

Premier League

Bournemouth put 10 past Serie A side in friendly – or do they? Why teams disagree on score

Yesterday at 13:06

But there were no such pleasantries behind them near the tunnel as Henderson came face-to-face with a member of the opposing bench.

"A night that ends in acrimony," said TNT Sports commentator Jamie Lyall.

"Jordan Henderson right in the thick of things, grappling in the mouth of the tunnel.

"[He's] never backwards in coming forwards. Ugly scenes to end what has been an engrossing goalless draw, here.

"Andoni Iraola playing the role of peacemaker, and the players and staff have to be separated in the final throes of this contest."

The hot-tempered exchanges were the climax to an engrossing stalemate as Andrews and Iraola sought to pacify the fractious denouement.

Bournemouth climbed to ninth in the table with 40 points, while Brentford stay seventh on 44.

Highlights: Honours end even at Vitality as Cherries almost grab late winner over Brentford

Video credit: TNT Sports

Should Bournemouth have had a penalty?

Earlier, Bournemouth had the game's best chance, which came early in the second half, when Marcus Tavernier stretched to reach a low cross into the penalty area but saw his effort come back off the post.

The Bournemouth midfielder felt he was impeded by Brentford defender Michael Kayode inside the box, but referee Pawson was uninterested.

"Yeah, I thought it [was a penalty] straight away," Tavernier told TNT Sports. "As soon as I ran through, I felt contact on my arm and then on my Achilles when I went through.

"I spoke to the referee after and he said it had been checked straightaway and there was not much more I could do.

Marcus Tavernier came closest to breaking the deadlock for Bournemouth

Image credit: Getty Images

"I felt the contact and you know the laws of the game these days, especially when we have VAR, but today it wasn't meant to be, and it didn't come our way.

"As you can see, I am off balance and in the air as the ball comes to me. If he doesn't touch me, I've most likely got a routine finish, which we work on every day in training. It's unfortunate they didn't pick it up but we have to go again."

Reflecting on the penalty claim at the time, TNT Sports commentator Robbie Savage said: "I think that's a penalty. I think that will get reviewed.

"There's a clip on the heel, which puts him off and alters his stride. It's a penalty. How has that not been given?"

'He drags it!' - Christie fluffs his lines after some 'great play'

Video credit: TNT Sports

Iraola insisted he could not accept VAR overlooking what he described as a "clear penalty" for his side.

Fewer than 90 seconds after the restart in the second half, Alex Jimenez threaded a pass through the heart of The Bees’ defence to Tavernier, who surged beyond Kayode into the area before steering his effort against the left-hand post.

At first glance, Tavernier appeared to have simply lost his footing but Iraola told TNT Sports: "I think it is a clear penalty. It's impossible not to see it live, but even the VAR... I cannot accept it.

"It's a shame because I'm going to talk about the penalty when we played really, really well, but it is what it is. It's unacceptable.

"I'm even more angry. If they decide after watching the replays this wasn't enough, I'm much more angry.

Damsgaard spurns 'great opportunity' after bizarre long throw goes wrong

Video credit: TNT Sports

"It's clear, the intention of Kayode. He lost his position and stretches his leg and probably the problem they don't call it is still, somehow, Tavernier finishes the play, but it's still a penalty. It's so clear.

"I cannot find the reason. I'm so frustrated."

Tavernier struck the woodwork once more in the 77th minute, arriving at the end of a rapid counter-attack only to see his effort from a tight angle cannon back off the frame of the goal.

Brentford had offered little before the interval but emerged with greater purpose after the restart, forcing Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic into a sharp save to deny Sepp van den Berg’s close-range header.

At the other end, Evanilson thought he had broken the deadlock in the 79th minute, weaving beyond two challenges before slotting past Caoimhin Kelleher, only for the offside flag to halt his celebrations.

Substitute Eli Junior Kroupi, the Cherries’ leading scorer, appeared poised to snatch a dramatic winner deep into stoppage time, but his first-time effort in the 93rd minute rolled agonisingly wide of the post.

Stream the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Men's and Women's FA Cup and more on TNT Sports and discovery+

Premier League