Newcastle United fought back from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth at St James’ Park, with Jacob Ramsey scoring a late equaliser to rescue a point for the hosts.
Bournemouth took control early through Marcus Tavernier before Malick Thiaw’s own goal doubled their advantage, but Harvey Barnes pulled one back for Newcastle before half-time.
The visitors looked set to hold on for victory after a more cagey second half, only for Ramsey to level with two minutes of normal time remaining.
Bournemouth opened the scoring when Alex Scott’s deflected effort fell into the box and Tavernier reacted quickest to poke the ball under Newcastle goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek.
Newcastle supporters were unhappy with the officials, believing there had been a foul in the build-up involving Adrien Truffert and Anthony Elanga.
Bournemouth doubled their lead when Justin Kluivert’s long-range effort struck the post, bounced off Hornicek and fell to Scott. The midfielder’s effort from a tight angle then deflected off Thiaw and beyond the goalkeeper.
Newcastle responded almost immediately through Barnes, who cut inside from the left before curling a superb right-footed effort into the top corner.
The hosts introduced £51m summer signing Matias Fernandez-Pardo in the 63rd minute as manager Matthias Jaissle looked for an attacking spark.
Bournemouth appeared to have done enough to protect their lead, but Newcastle finally found the breakthrough when Thiaw headed the ball down in the box and Ramsey produced a composed low finish into the corner.
The result was the first meeting between Newcastle and Bournemouth since 1992 in which former Cherries and Magpies boss Eddie Howe was absent from both dugouts.
Newcastle’s attacking football under Jaissle has provided plenty of encouragement early in the season, but their defensive struggles were exposed again as Bournemouth repeatedly found space between the lines in the first half.
The visitors registered 13 shots before the interval and could have extended their lead, with Evanilson firing over after Newcastle lost possession and Tavernier wasting another promising counter-attack.
Jaissle’s side improved after the break, gaining greater control in midfield and limiting Bournemouth’s creativity before eventually forcing the late equaliser.
For Bournemouth manager Marco Rose, the result will be particularly frustrating given his side’s strong first-half display and their continued struggles to protect leads.
Bournemouth have now dropped seven points from winning positions in the Premier League this season, more than any other side.
Newcastle, meanwhile, showed resilience to recover from a poor start and avoid a third consecutive defeat, although Jaissle will know there is still plenty of work to do defensively. – CHANNELS TV
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