Angry Howe reacts to Man U defeat and VAR shocker - "We should hang our heads really"

Eddie Howe has bemoaned our awful defending, missed chances and VAR's decision to miss Anthony Gordon's "absolute stonewall" penalty claim in Wednesday night's 3-2 defeat at Man Utd.

The boss felt we could "score at any moment" and had enough openings to win the match, but feels sure we lost the game based on our defending for all three goals.

Speaking to Sky and the press pack after the match, Howe said: "We had chances and I felt we could score at any moment. But we have lost the game because of how we defended their goals. We should hang our heads really. The game got away from us in key moments"

"The way we defended the three goals wasn't good enough. It's the biggest difference from last season and we have to chance it going into next season. Man Utd didn't hurt us a great deal, but we've concede three goals. You can't do that away from home. The momentum is with us at 1-1 but their second goal...a combination of errors. We had to do better.

"It’s an absolute stonewall penalty. I don’t know how VAR’s not got involved in that. That’s its job. You have to see it two or three times to see where the contact is, but I thought that was what VAR is good at? Slowing it down and seeing the contact. If you are looking at it from the wrong angle maybe you don't see it, but it was clear. I'd keep (VAR) it for offsides but I'd like more power with the referees.

Asked about our European fate, he added: "In this moment we are disappointed not to win. It was an opportunity to grab Europe, not look at other results. But there's a chance and while there's a chance we'll give it everything we can."

Going into the final day on Sunday, the permutations are now clear. We'll get sixth if we beat Brentford and Chelsea lose to Bournemouth. Equal Man Utd's result at Brighton and we'll finish seventh. If Man Utd win and we fail to, we'll end the season in eight. 

https://twitter.com/NUFC/status/1790863004419928530