Where was the game management…again?
Not for the first time this season, Benitez bemoaned the chronic lack of Premier League experience in his young side after watching Newcastle concede twice in a frantic final 10 minutes, just about hanging on for a point when, realistically, all three should have been returning to Tyneside.
There has been criticism of Benitez for introducing Isaac Hayden for Dwight Gayle, who was injured, in an attempt to stem the heavy flow of pressure in the closing stages as Bournemouth sought a route back into the game. As always, there is method to that madness though and the manner in which the players reacted after Adam Smith struck in the 80th minute will be a concern for Benitez, especially after witnessing his side battle valiantly to cling onto a one-goal lead and a clean sheet against Manchester United previously.
Perhaps introducing Hayden and Javier Manquillo for Matt Ritchie was the wrong move and invited The Cherries to attack Newcastle, but it doesn’t mitigate the panic that ensued once the hosts halved the deficit. The Magpies had chances to kill the game in the second half but, like they have done on too many occasions, failed to apply the fatal blow.
Poor game management has plagued Newcastle all season and, despite another positive performance in which they controlled a large portion of the match, Benitez is once again left searching for answers and solutions to an issue that could have been resolved in the transfer window.
