Premier League Manager Furious: 'We Did Not Deserve to Win'

Acknowledging his side's costly slow beginning resulting in the 1-1 stalemate with Sunderland, head coach Andoni Iraola was forthright in saying Bournemouth were not worthy of the victory.

The match at the Vitality Stadium last Saturday unfolded with contrasting scenarios. Despite being rated higher and having home advantage, Bournemouth struggled immensely to secure a single point against a Sunderland side desperate for points to avoid relegation.

Bournemouth entered the match aiming to secure all three points to strengthen their position in the race for European qualification. However, a lackluster and unfocused start cost them dearly in the first half. Sunderland's Eliezer Mayenda capitalized on a defensive lapse from the hosts to score the opening goal. It wasn't until the introduction of substitute Evanilson that The Cherries managed to find a precious equalizer to make it 1-1.

Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, manager Andoni Iraola could not hide his disappointment with his players' attitude and performance:

“I don't think it was a good moment for us. We perhaps came close to claiming all three points while playing at home, but I believe we did not merit that outcome because we paid the price for our slow start”.

The tactician also warned that this was not the first time Bournemouth had begun a match lacking energy:

“This has been happening to us recently. Sometimes we don't get punished for it, but today we did. We only got one point instead of the expected three.”

This draw leaves Bournemouth stuck in eighth place, a significant blow to their ambitions of reaching the European stage. In their next fixture, Iraola's side will remain at home to face Brentford - a team currently in very strong form in the Premier League. Meanwhile, Sunderland will carry the confidence they just regained into a stormy away trip to face Leeds United this coming Wednesday.