Bournemouth took a two-goal lead at the Stadium of Light but ultimately fell to defeat

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola claimed the referee 'lost control of the game' as Sunderland battled back from a two-goal deficit at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

The visitors took the lead through Amine Adli and Tyler Adams, but the Black Cats deservedly reduced the deficit after Enzo Le Fée scored from the penalty spot. Bertrand Traoré and substitute Brian Brobbey scored in the second to complete a remarkable comeback for the hosts.

Iraola praised Brobbey for a 'great header' but couldn't hide his frustration with the officiating throughout.

"When you are winning 2-0 and you go back home with zero points, it's hard," he said.

"We knew that it was going to be a difficult game and, especially, I think, lately defensive set players are costing us a lot. We've conceded two set-plays, we've conceded a penalty, and we knew it was one of their strengths. I think if you review tomorrow and when you review the game, probably we've done a lot of good things, but it hasn't been enough.

“I agree discipline has been a problem, but if you are a Bournemouth supporter or you were at the match [with] Bournemouth today, I think everyone would get a yellow card or a red card. I got a yellow card, my assistants, I think got a yellow card.

"I think the players, you have to have your head level, but I think it has been so influential in the referee today. I wanted to score the 3-3, so I could even complain more about the referee. Now, when you lose, it looks like [an excuse] but I think he has absolutely lost control of the game.

"I think, starting with the penalty, but it's not even one decision. The other day we discussed about the red card of [West Ham United's] Kilman or not, but OK it's one decision. The third goal is coming from a foul on the halfway line, there is nothing there. There is a part where we have to look at ourselves, especially defensive set plays, it's costing us a lot. Last games, a lot, I think 80% of the goals we conceded last three or four games came from set plays. But there is a part where absolutely the referee has been very influential, very, very influential."

It proved to be a costly game for the visitors who have been left with three suspensions as a result, but Iraola said it was difficult to criticise his players after candidly admitting he could easily have been sent off for dissent himself.

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"For us, it's very costly, because we are losing Marco Senesi, we are losing David Brooks, and we are losing Lewis Cook for the Everton game," he said.

"Very important players for us. For sure, I will show them the images, but I think it's very difficult. For me, it was very difficult. I've been shown a yellow card and they could have shown me a second one also. Again, I think we are playing very well and we are controlling.

"The penalty, there is a foul five seconds before. And when you call a penalty and the VAR is checking five minutes.. I really expected to overturn it, because when you are checking five minutes, they know it's a mistake, but they don't know if it's a big enough mistake for the VAR to intervene or not. I think they are in this process, because otherwise, you don't spend five minutes checking a penalty."

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