ANDONI Iraola could not hide his frustration at the officiating in Cherries’ action-packed 2-2 draw with Manchester United.

Cherries led 2-1 through goals from Dominic Solanke and Justin Kluivert, before Bruno Fernandes scored his second of the afternoon from the penalty spot to level the game.

The decision to award United a spot-kick was contentious, after Kobbie Mainoo’s shot had flown up off Ryan Christie and hit the arm of Smith, which was close to his body.

Cherries were then denied a penalty with Christie booked for simulation, before the Scot then went down in stoppage time, after colliding with Willy Kambwala. Referee Tony Harrington initially pointed to the spot, before VAR Jarred Gillett overturned the call and said the foul had occurred outside the box.

“It is not only about the important decisions,” said Iraola.

“It is about Kobbie Mainoo diving in the first half and nothing happens. Ryan Christie, with much more contact, dives in the second half and it is a yellow card. It is about consistency.

“Okay, we are safe, yes, but you have to value our points, the same way you value United’s points. The same exact way.

“The last decision especially, for the VAR to intervene, something that should be clear and obvious.

“We conceded a penalty against Newcastle and, apart from the offside, it was the correct decision, because we started grabbing a player two metres outside, but he falls inside because there is a moment inside the box.

“It is the same situation here.

“You can argue the first touch between the two players could be one centimetre outside the box, but it has to be clear.

“And it is obvious he continues making the offence inside and doesn’t allow Ryan to finish the play.”

Discussing the decision to penalise Smith at the other end, Iraola added: “Obviously it is very harsh. It is coming from his own teammate, a rebound.

“You are two metres away and don’t have time to do anything.

“Anything Adam Smith does is instinctive. They are not calling most of the handballs and I think they are going in the right way with the handballs.

“There was a moment they were calling everything. But today they changed their way of refereeing.”

Asked if he has spoken to the officials regarding the decisions, Iraola added: “No, I haven’t spoken with anyone.

“In the end, he will say ‘I called the penalty, the VAR told me, so for him it is very easy’. And he will be right, because he said it’s a penalty. The conversation would be over and he would be right.”