IT’S TURNED Howe’s facing fresh issues as ON ITS ED
NO wins in six league games for Eddie Howe’s Newcastle and the early season optimism is ebbing away.
Despite having more than 70 per cent possession, the hosts were rescued by VAR – and there were a few boos at full time.
Alexander Isak (right) kept his cool to level the game from a controversially awarded penalty, after Phillip Billing had put the visitors ahead.
Newcastle looked very ordinary in attack, and didn’t do enough to cut open a resilient and well-organised Bournemouth.
They have lost just once in 13 league games at home this year, but this was their third draw in a row on Tyneside and they’ve only beaten new boys Nottingham Forest in seven games.
It seems breaking into the elite will be harder than some expected.
Despite having spent £200million on eight players in two windows this season, Newcastle are short on real creativity.
Brazil play-maker Bruno Guimaraes was back after missing three league games but they were still without Callum Wilson, Allan Saint-Maximin and Jonjo Shelvey through injury.
The impact of those three being out on their attacking play is significant.
Billing opened the scoring following a sweeping multi-pass move after an accomplished spell from the Cherries. The home fans were silenced by the attacker’s deft touch past Nick Pope at the front post, after he ran off Fabian Schar.
Jordan Zemura provided the assist.
That was on the hour, and Newcastle were gifted a way back by VAR.
In recent weeks Howe’s side have been on the wrong end of VAR decisions – a goal disallowed at Liverpool, penalty claims missed and a Joe Willock goal harshly disallowed against Crystal Palace.
The club complained to the VAR officials in the aftermath, and Bournemouth might claim the system was rewarding Newcastle for recent errors.
It was another controversy. Kieran Trippier’s cross hit Jefferson Lerma but his hand
didn’t appear to be in an unnatural position as he ran.
But VAR sent Craig Pawson to the monitor and he awarded the penalty.
New boy Isak converted for his first goal at St James’ Park and second since arriving for £60m in August.
Howe was unemotional about facing the club he made his managerial name with. But he admitted he wouldn’t be in the Newcastle dug-out if it wasn’t for leading the Cherries to the Premier League over a 10-year, two-stint spell.
Gary O’Neil’s side, though, were excellent.
England right-back Trippier hit the post with a trademark free-kick after 27 minutes but for long periods the game, and Newcastle, were flat.
Bournemouth were sharp in the tackle and tactically in a good shape cutting out routes forward.
Just before half-time Joelinton hit the bar, then was denied by keeper Neto who also saved well from Ryan Fraser in a frenzy of shots.
After the break the visitors managed a break and low shot from Dominic Solanke.
The Cherries will stay up this season if they perform like this, with a threat on the break and it is now five points won since their 9-0 defeat to Liverpool.
Newcastle need to work out how to break teams down.