COOKING UP A STORM
<M<IP B@:B# <M<IP >F8C# <M<IP >8D< Steve is back in good books
STEVE COOK thought he deserved to be dropped a few weeks ago after a poor start to the season.
Bournemouth’s long-serving centre-half lost his place through injury but still wonders if that spared him the axe.
Cook has been a mainstay of the side which won two promotions and established themselves in the top flight but feared it was all starting to unravel as he struggled to find his form.
He need not have worried though. On Saturday he was back doing what he does best, giving his all for the Cherries’ cause.
Cook was heroic even before he rose to meet Andrew Surman’s corner for the visitors’ addedtime winner and his first goal in 11 months.
Two stunning blocks prevented certain goals as Bournemouth weathered a Newcastle storm before taking command after the break. Even after Cook’s goal he could have been dismissed for a foul on Dwight Gayle even deeper into injury time.
He said: “My heart was in my mouth because I thought I could be sent off. It was probably a foul.
“I would have been more than happy to have taken one for the team to protect the three points.”
Perfect
Fortune favoured Cook just as it had earlier when Gayle had an effort wrongly ruled out for offside. But there was nothing lucky about the visitors’ second-half performance.
It was the perfect way for Cook to celebrate the birth of his second son Eden and big brother Frey’s second birthday over the weekend.
Cook added: “I could have been dropped if I hadn’t been injured. I didn’t perform at the levels I set myself. “It wasn’t through lack of effort or desire because I probably did the most work I’ve ever done pre-season but I was very disappointed in myself. “It’s the first time my form has really dipped and it was tough to take. Hopefully, I’ve ridden that and come out the other end.”
The Toon’s lack of attacking threat is beginning to cost them.
Matt Ritchie, desperately unlucky not to score against his former club, insists the problems are nothing major.
He said: “It’s a bit harsh to say we haven’t been clinical enough. Yes, it would be nice to score when you create a chance but it doesn’t always work like that.
“You are up against top defenders and it’s so quick out there. You just have to continue creating chances and the goals will come.” NEWCASTLE (4-4-2): Elliot 7; Yedlin 5, Lascelles 6 (Clark 55, 6), Lejeune 6, Manquillo 5; RITCHIE 7, Hayden 6, Shelvey 5, Atsu 6 (Murphy Gayle 82); 6, Joselu 5 (Perez 68, 5). Subs: Diame, Darlow, Gamez, Mitrovic. UP NEXT: Man Utd (a) Premier League, Saturday, November 18. BOURNEMOUTH (4-4-2): Begovic 7; Francis 6, S COOK 8, Ake 7, Daniels 6; Ibe 7 (Defoe 76), Surman 6, Arter 6, Pugh 7; Wilson 6 (A Smith 75), King 6. Subs: Boruc, Gosling, L Cook, Fraser, Mousset. UP NEXT: Huddersfield (h) Premier League, Saturday, November 18. Referee: Paul Tierney 6. YOUR TURN: How many goals did Cherries midfielder Dan Gosling score in 35 appearances for Newcastle from 2010-14 – one, four or eight?