NEWCASTLE UNITED BOURNEMOUTH Toon are getting it all back to front STRIKERS BAILED OUT AGAIN

WHO needs goalscoring forwards when you’ve got defenders to stick the ball in the onion bag?

Newcastle’s strikers may be firing blanks but those behind them are certainly doing the business in the final third.

First, Deandre Yedlin cancelled out Harry Wilson’s well-worked opener just before half-time.

And then in the 52nd minute, Ciaran Clark scored his second goal in a week, scuffing the ball past Aaron Ramsdale after Federico Fernandez had headed Jetro Willems’ cross into his path.

That’s a magnificent seven goals for Newcastle’s backline so far this season with just four coming from the front five.

And those in attack are finding bizarre ways NOT to score. On 78 minutes, Allan Saint-maximin was denied by Ramsdale when clean through and then when Miguel Almiron followed up, his goalbound shot struck the prone Frenchman.

But Steve Bruce wasn’t c omplai n i ng after watching the Geordies notch up back- to- back wins for the first time since he took charge.

“Since the debacle at Leicester, they’ve rolled up their sleeves and really dug in,” said the former centre- half, who was once renowned for his own goal output.

“It was a difficult opening 25 minutes but I was delighted with the attitude and spirit they showed.

“We stuck at it and after scoring, always looked the team that wou l d win i t .”

Bournemouth were on the back foot after the break but should have equalised at the death only for Joshua King to head wide at the far post.

“Josh had a really good chance but unfortunately he headed the wrong side of the post,” said downbeat