EDDIE Howe admitted he felt referee Mike Dean should have gone to the pitchside monitor to make the call on Cherries’ controversial handball decisions at Burnley.

Experienced official Dean did not consult the screen himself for incidents involving Philip Billing and Adam Smith – which were both overruled by VAR in Stockley Park against Cherries in their 3-0 defeat.

Goalkeeping coach Neil Moss was also sent from the dugout by referee Dean after Burnley’s second goal.

Asked whether it was frustrating man-in-the-middle Dean did not go to the screen, Howe replied: “I’ve got no idea when they do and when they don’t. For me, Mike, I don’t know. I could be saying something out of line with what they’ve been told.

“I felt he should have done. He’s ultimately the guy in charge.

“He made the decision that it wasn’t a penalty (against Smith) – we broke up the other end and scored. That’s his call to make, surely?

“Even with replays, and I’ve seen it a few times, it’s grey. It’s not clear. How can that be given against us? I find that very difficult when the match referee’s decision is no penalty.”

Asked whether there was any point in having a discussion with officials about the incidents, Howe replied: “I don’t know the answer to that to be honest. I don’t know what’s more beneficial. We clearly have different views.

“I don’t want to get myself in trouble, so I’ll leave it there.

“Mike didn’t give either (handball decision), did he? He said the first one was a goal and the second one was a goal for us. He has to use the technology there – I don’t really blame Mike for this.

“It’s the process the VAR referee has made and how he’s come to the conclusion he has, I don’t know.”