Neutral fans have criticised Bournemouth after the Cherries’ two controversial penalties in the 1-1 draw against Wolves.
Referee Roger East awarded Eddie Howe’s side two spot kicks, first when Josh King fell following the slightest marginal contact from Joao Moutinho, then when Ryan Fraser fell outside of the box. King scored the first one to put Bournemouth ahead but missed the second.
East’s performance also became a major talking point after he turned down a penalty shout from Wolves when defender Chris Mepham clearly handled.
The official also showed Bournemouth midfielder Jefferson Lerma only a yellow card for elbowing Moutinho in the face.
But he awarded the visitors a spot-kick when Adam Smith brought down Matt Doherty, with Raul Jimenez equalising from the spot for his 10th Premier League goal of the season.
Viewers of BBC’s Match Of The Day took to Twitter to vent their frustration at the tactics of the home side, under #motd
AFC Bournmouth diving yet again. It's got to be something they practise, I've never seen a team do it so often. #MOTD #AFCB
— Peter Burton (@ThePeterBurton) February 23, 2019
Watching Bournemouth Wolves on #MOTD looks like both sides made it a very taxing day for the ref but especially Bournemouth. Diving fouling and elbows galore
— Joe Blair (@JoeZBlair) February 23, 2019
Imagine the shock that a Bournemouth player clearly dives yet nothing is barely said about it 😂😂🤷🏼♂️ #MOTD
— Aaron Potts (@Apotts7) February 24, 2019
@PaulioB tweeted: “Dodgy penalties for #AFB as ever. Nothing for Wolves after Bees ledge Mepham handles. Tp be honest, Eddie Howe’s got a cheek moaning about the penalty for Wolves after his players’ actions. No wonder they win so many penalties. Can’t stay on their feet.”
Glad to see Bournemouth are still cheating their way to results. Two penalties today and both of them dives. Don't know how Paul Ince dares suggest the first was one wad correctly given. Moutinho pulled out and King kicked his leg into the defenders. #MOTD
— Matthew Adams (@Madams1994) February 23, 2019
Diving from #AFCB players today an absolute embarrassment. #MOTD
— JoshRL (@JoshRL4) February 23, 2019
Bournemouth's Ryan Fraser was guilty of the most blatant attempt to deceive a match official
Partial justice was served when the penalty was missed, but the authorities now need to have another look and take some retrospective action#BOUWOL #MOTD
— Dave Roberts ( burnleystats ) ⚽🎙📈 (@DLRbrts) February 23, 2019
East also came under fire, with @Tylerkin93 tweeting: “What awful refereeing during the Bournemouth v Wolves game. Absolutely shocking. Bournemouth diving left, right and centre.”
Regarding the penalty ‘won’ by Fraser, @gazza_mum tweeted: “Outside and a dive #fraser #MOTD.”