Rondon inspires Magpies to victory
Salomon Rondon struck twice as Newcastle recorded consecutive English Premier League wins for the first time since April with a 2-1 victory over Bournemouth at St James Park in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. “We have to give credit to our players, they were very good,” said Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez. “We have done well in some games but that was one of the best mentalities in the way we competed for the ball.
“(Salomon) Rondon did well- he has to improve his fitness but he was working well and trying to fight the defenders.
“He showed what he can do and is giving us something different.” Rondon put the home side ahead after just seven minutes following great work by DeAndre Yedlin, who darted in behind the Bournemouth defence to pick out the waiting Venezuelan.
The 29-year-old striker then doubled his side’s advantage as halftime approached, dropping deep to collect the ball before charging into the penalty area to meet Kenedy’s cross with a powerful header.
There was a long first-half delay as Adam Smith received treatment for an injury sustained while preparing to take a free-kick, and it was deep into stoppage-time that Bournemouth found a route back into the contest as record signing Jefferson Lerma nodded in Ryan Fraser’s cross.
Cherries goalkeeper Asmir Begovic produced a string of fine saves to keep his side in the contest, while Jordon Ibe missed a good opportunity to equalise for the visitors who fell to back-to back league defeats.
After their worst top-flight start for 120 years, Newcastle recorded their first Premier League win of the season last weekend with a 1-0 triumph over Watford- and it appeared as though a significant weight had been lifted as the Magpies produced an energetic performance against the Cherries. Benitez was without injured trio Jamaal Lascelles, Jonjo Shelvey and Yoshinori Muto, yet his side - bottom of the league two weeks ago - dug in to see out another important three points in the battle to avoid relegation.
The Spaniard’s side, who had lost six of their last eight at home, were set up to deny Bournemouth space at St James’ Park and worked tirelessly to press the Cherries and disrupt the rhythm of their visitors. Newcastle head to Burnley on November 26, while Bournemouth, a day earlier host Arsenal.
BAMBA STRIKES WINNER
Sol Bamba’s dramatic 90th-minute strike gave Cardiff a vital 2-1 win over 10-man Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday. After Bamba himself and Calum Paterson had both hit the woodwork in a goalmouth scramble, the defender slammed the second rebound into the roof of the net to hand Cardiff a valuable three points.
Lewis Dunk’s header had earlier put Brighton ahead, Paterson replied for Cardiff with another close-range header, before Brighton were reduced to 10 men as Dale Stephens saw red for a rash challenge on Greg Cunningham. Cardiff manager Neil Warnock said: “It’s a massive result. We had to compete and we can compete. “We kept plugging away and had a feeling it would turn today. You cannot fault anybody’s effort today. That’s why the fans, who were unbelievable, are still with us. “We’ve earned the win today, we’ve worked really hard and I’m delighted for everybody.” Brighton manager Chris Hughton said they were frustrated and angry because they were down to 10 men for such a long period of time. “We’ve seen it on numerous occasions and Bamba is in an offside position.
“That’s the frustration and anger. For me it’s a comfortable and easy decision to make.”
Cardiff now go to Everton after the international break on Saturday, November 24 at 3pm, while Brighton host Leicester on the same day in the Premier League. In another clash Tottenham Hotspurs survived a Crystal Palace challenge to win 1-0.