'Horrible': Alan Shearer offers blunt insight into controversial VAR decision that spares Newcastle embarrassment at Bournemouth

Alan Shearer has criticised Newcastle's performance against Bournemouth, describing it as “awful”.

The Magpies drew 1-1, a result they were fortunate to obtain after a late header from Cherries' Dango Ouattara was ruled out by VAR for offside.

Despite a bright start, it was the Cherries who dominated proceedings on the south coast with Eddie HoweThe team from 's barely laid a glove on their former club.

One man who was not impressed with Newcastle's performance was club legend Shearer, who did not hold back when taking to social media.

Regarding X, Shearer wrote: “Apart from the first 10 minutes, it was awful.

“Second best in everything. The body language in that first half was horrible. Bournemouth miles better.”

Although they dominated possession for long periods, it was Bournemouth who always looked most likely to get something going.

Howe then made a series of changes in the second half with Harvey Barnes, Kieran Trippier, Lewis Hall and Joe Willock coming into play.

Those changes seemed to ignite Newcastle's ambitions, with substitute Barnes scoring Antonio Gordon to level the playing field and set up an exciting finale.

As the Magpies attacked, it was Bournemouth who thought they had secured victory thanks to Ouattara.

Fortunately for the Tynesiders, the header was ruled out for handball, despite the referee having penalised it on the pitch.

The VAR intervened and decided that no goal would be awarded, much to the anger of Bournemouth manager Iraola and his coaching staff.

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Shearer added: “It was a lucky point because it was a terrible decision in terms of handling the ball. For me, I never handle the ball.”

Asked if it feels like a win, Howe told talkSPORT: “It feels like a draw, but I know what you mean.

“At that moment we thought we had lost the game and that would have been cruel for us, I think, but VAR came to our rescue at that moment.

“Without the final goal I would have said we deserved more, but with the goal it is difficult to say that.

“Our performance wasn’t perfect, but it was good. It’s a difficult ground, Bournemouth are a good team and we are improving our fitness.

“We are still one or two players short of where we need to be, but all things considered, four points from two games is a good start.”

Newcastle's next Premier League game is at home to Tottenham, while Bournemouth travel to Everton.