B’mouth 1 – 1 Newcastle

Newcastle missed the chance to move up to third in the Premier League table after Bournemouth held them 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 any rhythm in the first half and deservedly fell behind when Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi reacted quickest from a corner to tap in from close range (30).

Bournemouth continued to impress during the opening 45 minutes but the visitors hit back on the stroke of half-time when Miguel Almiron calmly slotted home 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 giving Newcastle the lead in the second half, the returning Dominic Solanke thought he had scored a winner for Bournemouth as the game headed into stoppage time but his effort was brilliantly cleared off the line by Kieran Trippier and the contest ended level.

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

Bournemouth remain 19th, one point behind Leeds in 17th but having played a game more. This was a vital point but their wait for a first win since the Premier League season resumed after the World Cup continues.

How Cherries earned point against former boss Howe

Howe made his first return to the south-coast club since he departed in 2020 but a knock in training denied Callum Wilson the chance to face his old team.

It meant Alexander Isak, Newcastle’s record £60m signing, made only his sixth appearance in the league following an injury-hit first campaign.

Nick Pope was the first goalkeeper into action when Jaidon Anthony’s cross was impressively flicked on by the returning Solanke, but the away custodian scrambled across to parry wide. It was an encouraging moment for a Bournemouth side that had only scored one league goal since the league resumed in December.

Goals against had been a lot more frequent for Gary O’Neil’s men but after withstanding a succession of corners, they made the breakthrough with half an hour played. Hamed Traore’s corner was flicked on by fellow January recruit Dango Ouattara and summer arrival Senesi was on hand to poke home at the back post for his first goal for Bournemouth.

Newcastle were dealt another blow when Willock was forced off with a thigh injury, a concern with a Wembley trip a fortnight away, and Gordon’s introduction saw a switch in formation to a 4-2-3-1.

A first shot on target for the visitors arrived when Isak’s weak effort was sent straight down Neto’s throat with two minutes of the first half remaining but the Magpies next foray into the area resulted in the equaliser.

Saint-Maximin threaded a pass into 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 it up at 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, occurred just past the hour mark with Marcus Tavernier brought on to help halt Newcastle’s growing momentum.

Just as Howe’s team were building a head of steam, a string of stoppages helped take the sting of the match but the Cherries were still fortune not to go behind with 20 minutes left.

Neto made a rare error when he fumbled Saint-Maximin’s shot and despite saving Longstaff’s follow-up effort, Bournemouth were thankful £40m man Gordon fired wide from close-range under pressure from Jack Stephens.

Howe did eventually turn to his bench with Jacob Murphy readied before Almiron became the latest player struck by injury after he landed awkwardly on his wrist.

Minutes later and Saint-Maximin limped off before a Dan Burn mistake let Traore cross in for Solanke, but his flick was stopped by Trippier to ensure the spoils were shared.

Fantasy Premier League stats

Opta stats: Almiron reaches double figures

• Newcastle’s Miguel Almiron has scored 10 goals in 22 Premier League games in 2022-23, one more than he scored in 110 appearances in his first four seasons in the competition beforehand (9 goals).
• This was Newcastle’s 11th draw of this Premier League campaign, with only Reims (12) drawing more matches in Europe’s big-five leagues this term.
• Bournemouth have won just one of their last 13 Premier League matches (D3 L9), winning none of their last seven in the competition (D2 L5).
• Newcastle conceded the opening goal for the first time in 15 Premier League games, with the last occasion they did so also coming against Bournemouth in September.

What’s next?

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

Up next for Newcastle is a home match against Liverpool next Sunday, live on Sky Sports (kick-off 4.30pm).

Saturday 18th February 5:00pm


Kick off 5:30pm

Eddie Howe’s side then take on Manchester United at Wembley in the Carabao Cup final on February 26, also live on Sky Sports (kick-off 4.30pm).