BOURNEMOUTH......................................................1BOURNEMOUTH...........................................
castle midfielder Dan Gosling during the interval.
On 55 minutes, Ki picked out Matt Ritchie down the right-hand side with the former Bournemouth star trying to find Rondon but his header flashed wide.
Three minutes later, Fraser drove forward for the Cherries and was allowed time and space before striking a deflected shot which Dubravka gathered well.
On the hour mark, Brooks crossed for Wilson but he glanced a header over the bar.
But Newcastle could have added that insurance goal on 64 minutes as Ritchie fired an effort just past the upright after good work from Perez.
The Cherries kept on pressing and Newcastle were defending for their lives in the last quarter of the game with Fernandez steaming into a challenge to deny Fraser.
Toon fans were breathing a sigh of relief on 73 minutes after Gosling slipped in Ibe but he blazed the ball over the top.
Benitez made his first change of the day when Ritchie – applauded by both sets of fans – went off for Isaac Hayden who got his first taste of action since September.
He was soon joined by Ciaran Clark who replaced Kenedy with 12 minutes left and Christian Atsu was introduced for a cameo as he replaced Diame.
Atsu’s first involvement saw the Ghana winger pick up the ball on the right-hand side of the penalty area before curling in a shot that was palmed away by Begovic.
In the final minute, Rondon raced clear to find himself one on one with Begovic but his shot took a deflection and squirmed out for a corner.
Rondon’s work-rate throughout the afternoon probably deserved the match ball but fans weren’t complaining by the end as United held on for three points.