CHERRIES were held to a 1-1 draw by Leicester City yesterday. Here, we run through the main talking points from the nail-biting contest at Vitality Stadium. 

THE REFEREEING GETS NO BETTER

A pity that once again after an engaging, edge-of-your-seat clash, we’re talking about match officials.

Manager Eddie Howe and his players showed great restraint in their post-match assessments but behind closed doors, Cherries must have been seething over yesterday’s injustices.

The hosts were a goal to the good when a foul on Lee Tomlin was incorrectly given outside the penalty area by Neil Swarbrick, who could probably have touched the players he was so close to it.

Likewise, the man in the middle was perfectly placed to watch Robert Huth’s cowardly attempt to blast the ball at a grounded Callum Wilson before pushing Tyrone Mings in the face.

Incredibly, a yellow card was the punishment.

Wilson felt he should have had a last-ditch penalty but that, it must be said, was more dubious.

There was no question over Leicester’s penalty but would they have mustered such a late surge with 10 men while, potentially, trailing by two goals?

Will Howe seek more  explanations from referees chief Mike Riley? Who knows, but if Swarbrick has anything about him, he will make the first move.

THE RUGGED APPROACH STILL EXISTS IN THE TOP FLIGHT

Maybe it’s time to forget the notion that the Premier League is packed with nice footballers.

Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood unashamedly admitted his side had sat back on the opening day and Leicester’s early-season success has proved direct, physical teams can hold their own.

City snapped at heels, got away with niggling fouls and, at times, bending the rules beyond their typical breaking point.

But it must be said, they did it well.

The Foxes hung tough and looked lively to the end as Cherries, beset by three injuries, inevitably tired in certain areas.

So much for leaving all that behind having negotiated a route out of the Championship.

That said, if Howe had been able to make tactical changes instead of being forced to use all three substitutions when he did, we might have seen a different outcome.

THE PERFORMANCES ARE THERE

The fact Cherries only have four points from four matches is a reminder of the harsh realities of the Premier League.

Their performances have warranted more and while we could point towards refereeing decisions, the sheer power of top-flight teams, even the so-called lesser lights, has been on another planet compared with those seen in the Championship.

As always, though, Cherries have stood by their approach, improved their game and learned valuable lessons quickly.

Much like the 6-1 walloping at Watford and 5-1 thumping at Huddersfield in their first Championship season, Cherries have rolled with the punches and the way they are stepping up to the plate will give supporters plenty of hope for what lies ahead.

MOAN OF THE MATCH

Sorry, Mr Swarbrick, you might wish to look away again.

Indecision proved costly for Cherries as the referee made half-hearted decisions instead of showing the conviction to act as he should have.

It might not have been trumpeted so loudly this time but the calls were worse, and perhaps more costly, than the questionable decisions at Liverpool.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Callum Wilson’s spectacular goal.

As expected, City were resolute and it took something special to break the deadlock.

When he got up to celebrate, Wilson looked as shocked as anyone.

‘Did I just do that?’ You certainly did, Callum. Another reminder of the Coventry kid’s special talent.