RITCH Matt finish gives
MATT RITCHIE rescued a faltering Newcastle in another home setback for Eddie Howe’s men.
The ex-bournemouth man struck during 10 minutes of injury time against his former club and celebrated by booting down the corner flag.
Long-serving Ritchie is in his last season on Tyneside and had only played 101 minutes off the bench this season but was thrown on as a lastgasp sub – and delivered his first goal since July 2020.
The leveller was much-needed by Newcastle but it doesn’t mask their current troubles at home.
They’ve now won just two points from their last four league games at St James’ Park and conceded 12 goals in the process.
And considering the visitors included Luton, Nottingham Forest and now Bournemouth, that’s not top-seven form.
It was a stirring fightback in a great atmosphere, but disappointment will linger ahead of a trip to Arsenal this coming Saturday evening.
A glaring weakness in the Geordie defence has been exposed recently, especially on their left side, when Dan Burn is faced with fast-sprinting right wingers.
Antoine Semenyo was the latest to score by running at Burn unchallenged, and it was almost the winner.
Next up will be Bukayo Saka and he will fancy his chances this week, unless Howe acts and starts Tino Livramento instead.
Howe has called for an end to chaotic games and demanded more control. But the goals continue to fly in at both ends. Newcastle certainly are entertaining.
Dominic Solanke opened the scoring with his 14th Premier League goal of the season just after the break after a freak slip by Toon keeper Martin Dubravka let him in.
Defender Sven Botman played the ball back to the Slovakian, who took a touch ready to clear but lost his grip, and Solanke was sharp off his blocks and slotted the loose ball home.
There was a swift fightback from Newcastle who have recovered quickly from conceding in recent home games.
Kieran Trippier swung in a free-kick and Adam Smith pulled Fabian Schar’s shirt inside the box. Ref Michael Salisbury didn’t see the incident and VAR intervened.
After a long delay, checking for a foul and potential offside, the penalty was given and Anthony Gordon converted.
Bournemouth were soon back in the lead, though, as Burn allowed Semenyo space as he collected the ball 40 yards out and then smashed home from just outside the box.
Then came the 10 minutes of injury time and Ritchie struck to grab what could be a vital point in the final standings, first heading Trippier’s free-kick against Lewis Cook, then hammering into the net to send the fans home a little happier than they otherwise might have been.