B’mouth 1 – 1 Newcastle

Newcastle missed the chance to move up to third in the Premier League table after Bournemouth were held to a 1-1 draw on Eddie Howe’s return to the Vitality Stadium.

Knowing three points on the south coast would take them back above Manchester United on goal difference, Newcastle struggled to find rhythm in the first half and should have pulled it back when Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi reacted quickest from a corner to tap in from close range (30). ).

Bournemouth continued to impress in the opening 45 minutes, but the visitors hit back on the stroke of half-time when Miguel Almiron calmly scored his 10th Premier League goal of the season after Sean Longstaff’s powerful effort was saved by Neto (45+2).

After Anthony Gordon went close to give Newcastle the lead in the second half, the returning Dominic Solanke thought he had scored the winner for Bournemouth as the game approached stoppage time, but his effort was well saved by Kieran Trippier and the contest ended. level.

The result moves Newcastle to fourth, two points ahead of fifth-placed Tottenham with a game in hand and extends their top-flight unbeaten run to 17 games, but injuries to Joe Willock, Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin will be a major concern Howe. the Carabao Cup final is just two weeks away.

Bournemouth remain in 19th, one point behind Leeds in 17th but have played more games. It’s an important point but waiting for a first win since the Premier League season resumes after the World Cup continues.

How the Cherries got a point against former boss Howe

Howe returned to the south coast club for the first time since his departure in 2020, but a knock in training denied Callum Wilson the opportunity to face his old team.

It means Alexander Isak, Newcastle’s £60m record signing, has made just his sixth league appearance after an injury-plagued first campaign.

Nick Pope was the first keeper to act when Jaidon Anthony’s cross was met by the returning Solanke, but the keeper raced across. It was an encouraging moment for a Bournemouth side who have scored just one league goal since the league resumed in December.

Goals against have been too frequent for Gary O’Neil’s men but after holding off a succession of corners, they made the breakthrough with half an hour to play. Hamed Traore’s corner was flicked on by fellow January recruit Dango Ouattara and by summer Senesi was on hand to drive in at the back post for Bournemouth’s first goal.

Newcastle suffered another blow when Willock was forced off with a thigh injury, concerned about the two-week trip to Wembley, and the introduction of Gordon saw a change in formation to a 4-2-3-1.

The first shot on target for the visitors came when Isak’s low effort was sent straight at Neto’s throat with two minutes of the first half remaining, but the Magpies’ next move into the area produced an equaliser.

Saint-Maximin sent a pass to the onrushing Longstaff, who was denied by Neto from 20 yards, but Almiron was on hand to slot home with his left foot to level on the break.

Bournemouth were forced into a change early in the second period when goalscorer Senesi had to be replaced and a second substitution for the hosts, this time tactical, happened just past the hour mark with Marcus Tavernier brought on to halt Newcastle’s developing momentum.

While Howe’s side were on the mend, a string of stoppages helped take the sting out of the match but the Cherries were lucky not to go behind with 20 minutes remaining.

Neto made a rare mistake when he deflected Saint-Maximin’s shot and although Longstaff’s follow-up effort was saved, Bournemouth thanked the £40m man, Gordon firing away from close range under pressure from Jack Stephens.

Howe eventually returned to the bench with Jacob Murphy fit before Almiron became the latest player to suffer an injury after he fell on his wrist.

Minutes later and Saint-Maximin limped off before Dan Burn’s mistake allowed Traore to cross for Solanke, but the flick was stopped by Trippier to ensure they shared the spoils.

Fantasy Premier League Statistics

Opta Stats: Almiron hits double figures

• Newcastle’s Miguel Almiron has scored 10 goals in 22 Premier League games in 2022-23, more than he scored in 110 games in his first four seasons in the competition (9 goals).
• It was Newcastle’s 11th draw of this Premier League campaign, with only Reims (12) playing more matches across Europe’s five leagues this season.
• Bournemouth have won just one of their last 13 Premier League games (D3 L9), winless in their last seven competitions (D2 L5).
• Newcastle conceded the opening goal for the first time in 15 Premier League games, with their last occasion also coming against Bournemouth in September.

What’s next?

Bournemouth travel to wolf next Friday (kick-off 3pm) before hosting Manchester City on February 25, live in Sky Sports (kick-off 5.30pm).

Next to Newcastle it’s a home match against Liverpool Next week, live in Sky Sports (kick-off 16.30).

Eddie Howe’s side then took over Manchester United at Wembley on Carabao Cup final on February 26, also live in Sky Sports (kick-off 16.30).