Newcastle United escaped the south coast with a point.
Anthony Gordon brought Newcastle back onto level terms after Marcus Tavernier had opened the scoring for Bournemouth in the Premier League, though Eddie Howe’s side were lucky not to have lost.
Indeed, where a controversial call went against them last weekend when Fabian Schar was perhaps harshly sent off against Southampton, the footballing gods were very much smiling on Howe this time around.
Dango Ouattara looked to have scored a late winner for the Cherries but the header was chalked off by VAR for a handball, a decision even Newcastle legend Alan Shearer admitted was harsh on the hosts.
Perhaps Newcastle were due some fortune after Schar’s red card last week but that does not mean it was not a harsh decision.
Speaking after the game, Howe revealed his thoughts on the matter.
Eddie Howe says Newcastle actually got a welcome surprise
Howe admitted the fact the goal did not count came as a “welcome surprise” given none of his players were actually appealing for a handball at the time.
“I mean, it was a welcome surprise because our players weren’t appealing so I’d be interested to see the replays,” he said (via Jordan Cronin).
Harvey Barnes made a statement for Newcastle in Bournemouth draw
Gordon is no doubt the starting option off the left but Harvey Barnes certainly made a telling impact on Sunday.
Sections of the Newcastle support were delighted with the winger’s contribution after coming off the bench, with the former Leicester star providing the cross from which Gordon scored.
With Newcastle seemingly struggling to sign the right winger they are reportedly chasing this summer, perhaps the idea of moving Gordon to the right and playing Barnes on the left could be a good way to go.
If big money cannot be spent this summer, internal solutions must be found.
There’s not all too much to take from Newcastle’s draw at Bournemouth but the performance of Barnes was certainly a positive.
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