Howe’s hopefuls finding it tough as points shared
Newcastle 1 B’mouth 1
NO wins in six league games for Eddie Howe’s Newcastle and the early-season optimism is ebbing away.
Despite having 70 per cent possession, the Geordies were rescued by VAR, and there were a few boos at full-time.
Alexander Isak kept his cool to level the game from a controversiallyawarded penalty after Phillip Billing had put the visitors ahead.
Newcastle looked very ordinary in attack and didn’t do enough to cut a resilient and well-organised Bournemouth open.
Caretaker Cherries boss Gary O’neil is hoping to hear if he will land the job permanently this week after impressing.
He said: “I will be finding out what’s happening and see what the plan is.
“If it is me, we’ll get back to work on the grass with the lads.
“It is a good point for us, it is a tough place to come.”
Toon 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.
They were still without Callum
Wilson, Allan Saintmaximin and Jonjo Shelvey through injury, although Bruno Guimaraes returned after missing three league games.
The impact of those three being out on
Newcastle’s attacking play is significant.
Billing (below) opened the scoring after a sweeping multipass move.
That was in the
62nd minute before Newcastle were gifted a way back by VAR.
In recent weeks the Geordies have been on the wrong end of VAR decisions. The club complained to the Stockley Park officials in the aftermath and Bournemouth might claim the system was rewarding Newcastle for recent cock-ups.
It was another controversy. Kieran Trippier’s cross hit Jefferson Lerma but his arm didn’t appear to be in an unnatural position.
But VAR sent Craig Pawson to the monitor and he awarded the penalty.
Isak converted the kick for his first goal at St James’ Park, and his second for the club since arriving for £60m in August, to earn a point.
Howe was left frustrated with his side’s show.
He said: “Our performance was below the level we set ourselves. I felt we were off in every aspect of our game.” NEWCASTLE: Pope 6; Trippier 7,
Schar 6, Burn 6, Targett 6; Joelinton 5, Guimaraes 6 (Longstaff 72, 6), Willock 6; Fraser 5 (Murphy 72, 6), Almiron 5 (Wood 90) Isak 6
BOURNEMOUTH: Neto 7; Smith 6, Mepham 7, Senesi 7, Zemura 8; Cook 7, Lerma 7; Christie 6 (Stacey 87), Billing 6 (Stephens 90), Tavernier 6 (Anthony 80); Solanke 5 (Moore 90)
MAN OF THE MATCH: Jordan Zemura – Excellent at left-back in defence and a real creative outlet.
REF: Craig Pawson 6