Newcastle United were held at home to AFC Bournemouth as former Barcelona goalie Neto pulled off a string of saves to hand the visitors a point. The Magpies had gone behind just after the hour but Alexander Isak's penalty hauled Eddie Howe's team back into the game.
However, despite have 20 goal attempts and bossing possession with 73% of the ball, Newcastle could not find that much-needed winner. The afternoon started with an impeccably observed minute's silence following the death of Queen Elizabeth II before fans and players sang God Save the King.
Howe and co-owner Amanda Staveley joined the teams in the centre circle at St James' Park. Bournemouth then won the toss and switched the teams around meaning Newcastle attacked the Gallowgate End first.
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Howe lined up with his usual 4-3-3 formation while the South Coast side went with 4-2-3-1 on their first visit to Tyneside since 2019. There were no immediate chances for either side and the Cherries suffered a goalkeeper injury scare when Neto went down crunching his groin.
On seven minutes a tame shot from Ryan Christie was gathered by Nick Pope at the Leazes End as the visitors recorded the game's first shot on target. Kieran Trippier then rolled the ball to Joe Willock down the right before his shot from the angle was gathered by Bournemouth's once-capped Brazilian international Neto.
Gary O'Neil's side then created a good chance on 15 minutes as Bournemouth came close with a counter attack, but Marcus Tavernier headed wide of the target although Nick Pope had it covered. United responded two minutes later when the ball was worked down the right but Miguel Almiron's tame shot was easily gathered by Neto.
A free-kick from the left curled in by Matt Targett eventually found Fabian Schar on 21 minutes but again Neto gathered. United were handed a chance from a free-kick just outside the D but England full-back Trippier's up and under struck the base of the post.
Dominic Solanke attempted an overhead kick on 29 minutes but the ball flew wide of the target.
Joelinton was denied on 43 minutes when he struck the post and then saw Neto keep out his follow up before pushing over a Ryan Fraser shot. After a frustrating first half the two sides went in level at the break despite Newcastle enjoying 68% possession.
The second half opened up with another chance for Fraser as he curved an effort wide on 47 miinutes. Solanke responded two minutes but clipped a shot straight into the arms of Pope.
Isak got a rare sight of goal on 51 minutes but his header was gathered by ex-Barcelona stopper Neto who made a high claim. Bournemouth went ahead on 61 minutes after United switched off in midfield and allowed Marcus Tavernier a free run through the middle.
Former Celtic star Ryan Christie then toiled near the penalty area before Jordan Zemura's cross found Philip Billing who casually hooked home to beat Pope. Yet their lead lasted just five minutes after Kieran Trippier's cross hit the arm of Jefferson Lerma and after VAR consultation from Stuart Attwell and a pitchside inspection from Craig Pawson the ref pointed to the spot.
In between the debate over whether it was a spot-kick or not Isak negotiated with Bruno Guimaraes to take the spot-kick. And the £63million man kept his cool to send Neto the wrong way and grab his first goal at St James' Park.
It was very much game on at 1-1 as Bournemouth's chance of victory seemed to pass them by over a lapse of concentration. With 70 minutes gone there was a minute of applause for Queen Elizabeth II,
Howe then sent on Sean Longstaff and Jacob Murphy for the tiring Bruno and Fraser who left the field after having some big moments. With 15 minutes left Willock got a glimpse of goal but sent a shot high into the Leazes End.
Fabian Schar sent a deflected shot over on 77 minutes as Newcastle searched for another and from the corner substitute Murphy saw an effort diverted wide. With six minutes left former Arsenal star Willock tried his luck from range but again fired over the top.
Howe turned to Chris Wood for the latter stages of the game as he tried to win the game with the striker replacing Almiron. In stoppage time Schar tried to unleash one of is long range specials but it lacked the magic of his strike against Nottingham Forest and flew over.
Bournemouth then went through every trick in the book to waste time and succeeded as they picked up a point.
Attendance: 52,238
Referee: Craig Pawson (South Yorkshire)
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