Alexander Isak’s penalty rescued a point for Newcastle United in a flat display against AFC Bournemouth.
The £58million summer signing levelled proceedings a few minutes after the Cherries opened the scoring on 63 minutes through Philip Billing.
And in truth, United rarely looked like finding a winner. That is Eddie Howe’s side fifth draw in their opening seven games, perhaps an underwhelming start of the campaign.
Howe wasted no time in recalling Bruno Guimaraes to his starting XI after the Brazilian missed the last three matches with a hamstring injury.
Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin remained side, while Dan Burn was selected ahead of Sven Botman in two changes from Howe.
It was a flat first half, probably the flattest we’ve seen on home soil in 2022, despite Kieran Trippier and Joelinton striking the woodwork.
Bournemouth had a clear plan to counter-attack Newcastle and that paid off when Billing opened the scoring on 62 minutes, who converted Jordan Zemura’s cross.
The Magpies, however, immediately hit back when VAR spotted a handball from Jefferson Lerma to stop Kieran Trippier’s cross.
Referee Craig Pawson reviewed the decision at the VAR monitor before Isak’s sent goalkeeper Neto the wrong way.
Here, our writer Jordan Cronin dishes out his Newcastle United player marks from the 1-1 draw.
1. Nick Pope - 7
Barely had a save to make. Was left rooted to the spot when an outstretched leg from Billing converted Zemura’s cross.
2. Kieran Trippier - 7
Always an option on the right-hand side. Played a few clever passes down the line and put in numerous crosses. Hit the post in almost trademark free-kick.
3. Fabian Schar - 6
Was defensively untested but offensively made some poor decisions. Blazed an effort over in injury time.
4. Dan Burn - 6
Wasn’t asked a lot defensively asides from a last-ditch challenge to prevent Solanke from running through.