AFC BOURNEMOUTH saw a winning goal controversially ruled out in added time at the end of an entertaining 1-1 draw with Newcastle United.

Premier League football returned to the Vitality Stadium for the season with a dramatic game, with the home side seeming to have secured all three points with just minutes remaining.

But VAR stopped the home side's celebrations, sparking anger from the Cherries fans and staff.

Cherries led at the break thanks to Marcus Tavernier’s goal, tapping in after being found by Antoine Semenyo’s ball across the six-yard box.

(Image: Richard Crease)

Newcastle levelled the game with just shy of 15 minutes to play, with Anthony Gordon finishing at the back post from Harvey Barnes’ cross from the left.

Dango Ouattara thought he had scored the winner after he finished from a corner, but VAR ruled that the ball had hit his arm and the goal was chalked off.

Andoni Iraola handed club-record signing Evanilson his debut from the start, as Marcos Senesi returned to the 11 after missing out through illness at Nottingham Forest last weekend.

Dean Huijsen dropped to the bench, while new right back Julian Araujo also came in to make his first start for AFC Bournemouth.

Justin Kluivert and Ryan Christie returned to the 11, while former Cherries club captain Lloyd Kelly started for Newcastle.

Eddie Howe’s side featured some fine firepower, with Alexander Isak and Joelinton in the side, captained by Bruno Guimaraes.

Cherries got the sides underway, with the first chance of the game falling to Newcastle, after Isak’s dangerous cross was headed back over the bar by Zabarnyi with Gordon threatening.

(Image: Richard Crease)

Gordon’s shot from distance from the resulting corner soared over the bar.

The best early chance fell to Isak as he was played in with a lovely ball over the top, but his soft shot was straight at Neto in the Cherries net.

Debutant Evanilson had his first chance with 18 minutes gone, as his shot was well saved by Nick Pope with his leg in the Newcastle goal.

The visitors counter attacked after the chance, but Isak’s lovely ball across the six-yard box alluded everyone and went for a goal kick.

Cherries’ Antoine Semenyo struck the cross bar with a fantastic, curled effort that had Pope beaten and went out for a goal kick.

Tavernier had his first chance of the day as he struck a free kick from a central position into the wall, which Pope had to divert behind for a corner.

(Image: Richard Crease)

After Newcastle’s strong start, it was the home side that grew into the half and began to pressure the visitors’ backline.

Their possession was rewarded after 37 minutes.

Semenyo picked the ball up close to the edge of the box after some nice interplay and drew the defence out right.

His ball across the six-yard box was inch perfect for Tavernier, who had timed his run perfectly to tap into an open goal from just yards out.

Cherries saw out the remainder of the half and entered the break with a deserved lead.

The first chance of the second half came to Semenyo, after a great ball from Cook to Kluivert for the Dutchman to cross from the left, but his shot was blocked behind.

(Image: Richard Crease)

Evanilson stung the palms of Pope minutes after 50 minutes, with his rising shot easily saved after a driving run at the Newcastle defence.

Eddie Howe was the first to go to his bench, with Tino Livramento and Jacob Murphy making way for Kieran Trippier and Harvey Barnes.

It was the Brazilian again who had the next chance for Cherries – more brilliant work from Semenyo on the right saw the Ghanian fire across the six-yard box.

Evanilson just needed to get a touch on the ball to open his Cherries account as he lunged for it but couldn’t connect and it went behind for a goal kick.

Iraola brought Alex Scott on for Ryan Christie just after the hour, with Barnes going close for the away side, his driven effort going wide.

(Image: Richard Crease)

After two more Newcastle subs, with Lewis Hall and Joe Willock coming on for Kelly and Longstaff, the away side went close to drawing level.

First, a header from Isak was cleared off the line by Senesi, before a fantastic save from Neto after Joelinton’s effort off his shoulder looked to be heading in.

Evanilson was applauded off on 70 minutes as he and Justin Kluivert were replaced by Dango Ouattara and Luis Sinisterra.

Newcastle levelled the game on 76 minutes.

Barnes’ cross from the left was just too high for Zabarnyi and fell to Gordon at the far post, who finished past Neto.

(Image: Richard Crease)

Cherries almost bounced straight back, with a Scott effort going close and a Semenyo shot deflected behind.

Neto saved well from a Dan Burn header, as the game entered the final 10 minutes, with Tavernier and Araujo replaced by Daniel Jebbison and Adam Smith.

There was a dramatic finish as Cherries’ Ouattara thought he had secured all three points for the home side, converting from a corner.

But VAR ruled he had finished off his arm, and the goal was chalked off and Iraola was booked for his protests.

Joelinton then went into the book for a cynical challenge on Neto, with Dean Court erupting in disgust – as a Cherries coach Pablo de la Torre was sent to the stands.

The game ended 1-1, with the home side likely feeling very aggrieved to not be starting their home Premier League campaign with the three points.