Ryan, Brooks and Iraola React After Leeds United's Late Late Show

Frustration, disbelief, but lingering optimism formed the backdrop at full-time on Wednesday night, as AFC Bournemouth saw a hard-fought victory slip away deep into stoppage time against Leeds United.

The dramatic 2-2 draw left players and staff grappling with a mix of pride in their performance and anger at the circumstances surrounding the late equaliser.

There was a shared feeling across the dressing room that Bournemouth had done enough to secure all three points. Goals from Junior Kroupi and substitute Rayan had put the Cherries in control, and for a brief moment, it even appeared as though Evanilson had sealed the win with a third, only for his effort to be ruled out for a marginal offside.

That decision went on to prove pivotal, as Sean Longstaff struck in the sixth minute of added time to snatch a point for the visitors.

For winger David Brooks, the sense of injustice was hard to ignore. While maintaining that Bournemouth remain in a strong position heading into the final stretch of the season, he pointed to the controversial nature of Leeds’ equaliser - particularly the positioning of Joel Piroe, which appeared to obstruct goalkeeper Đorđe Petrović.

“We’re extremely disappointed, but despite that, we’re still in a great position and we need to keep going:.

“All of us have had a look at the equaliser. The keeper (Petrovic) has had to jump over him (Piroe) to see the ball. It doesn’t matter whether he’s going to save it or not – he can’t see the ball at all, so I’m not sure how it hasn’t been disallowed.

“We went close to making it 3-1 before that. If he (Evanilson) scores with that part of his arm that was offside, then I understand it will be disallowed. But I don’t know why that counts as offside - if he had scored with that part of his arm, it would have been disallowed anyway".

There was a similar blend of reflection and encouragement from young forward Rayan, whose goal had briefly looked like the winner. The Brazilian teenager continues to impress following his arrival in England, and he spoke positively about his adaptation to life at the club, crediting teammates and staff for helping him settle quickly.

"I had an assist from my first game, with everyone being welcoming to me. I’m only going to improve from now on. I’ve been settling in really, really well."

"It was a bit of a crazy end to the game in the end. A ball came from right side of the pitch with us ending up conceding the goal"

"It’s definitely our dream to play in Europe, and for me and my family".

At the centre of it all, head coach Andoni Iraola cut a far more animated figure. Clearly angered by the officiating decisions, the Spaniard did not hide his belief that his side had been denied a deserved victory. While accepting the fine margins that ruled out Evanilson’s goal, he was adamant that Leeds’ equaliser should not have stood.

"I'm disappointed. I'm frustrated. It’s a difficult one to swallow, this one, because we celebrated the 3-1. It's offside, we have to accept. The image, Evanilson is 1mm ahead, you have to accept".

"But the 2-2, we cannot accept it. This offside position is clear. Affects Petrović, yes. I've spoken with the referee now."

"He would have saved it if the player is not there, it’s science fiction, we don't know. I can tell you, he would have saved it because he sees the positioning of Longstaff, the gambles one side or the other, with Piroe it makes it impossible to know if he would have saved it or not".

Ultimately, while the late setback may prove costly, it has not derailed the Cherries’ ambitions. With momentum, confidence, and a clear sense of purpose, Bournemouth now turn their attention to the final four fixtures - determined to ensure this moment of frustration does not define what could still be a historic season.