'He left us in a difficult situation' - Cook sees red as AFC Bournemouth tamed by Wolves

AFC Bournemouth are still looking for their first Premier League win of the campaign, after Gary O'Neil's Wolves triumphed at Vitality Stadium.

AFC Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola revealed Lewis Cook apologised for his red card during the 2-1 defeat to Wolves but insisted: “The truth is he left us in a difficult situation.”

The England international was given his marching orders by referee Paul Tierney after a headbutt on Hwang Hee-Chan nine minutes after the break.

Before then, Dominic Solanke’s neat finish had put the Dorset Club ahead on 17 minutes, before Matheus Cunha’s rocket from the edge of the box had made it 1-1.

Without Cook, Cherries failed to hold on with 10 men.

A reckless goal kick from home keeper Neto put Philip Billing under pressure. After he was dispossessed, Hee-Chan slipped in Sasa Kalajdzic to fire home a late winner.

Speaking about Cook’s red card, Spanish boss Iraola said: “I haven't seen it repeated.

“I suppose it's a red card, because he was the first one to apologise and he knows that he has made the mistake.

“But the truth is he left us in a difficult situation, especially his teammates.

“But we were close. We were close at least to take 1-1.

“But we conceded probably in the worst way, the second one.”

The result saw former Cherries boss Gary O’Neil seal victory on his return to Vitality Stadium.

Having kept AFC Bournemouth in the top flight last term, the former Portsmouth and Norwich midfielder was replaced by Iraola in the summer.

Since then, Cherries are yet to win a Premier League game, with three points coming from their opening nine contests.

They host struggling Burnley at Vitality Stadium on Saturday (3pm).