OPINION
Newcastle United produced yet another memorable late show as they grabbed a stoppage time equaliser through wing back Matt Ritchie to secure a 2-2 draw at Bournemouth.
A brace from Joshua King had appeared to have put the Cherries in control after Salomon Rondon had opened the scoring for Newcastle with a stunning free kick.
However, Ritchie smashed home a sumptuous late volley to ensure the Magpies made the long journey back to the North East with a share of the spoils.
As usual there is plenty to be gleaned from the game, and Nothing but Newcastle has rounded up three things that can be learned from Newcastle’s draw with Bournemouth.
Dummett takes first team chance
If anyone sums up the battling spirit of this Newcastle team it’s defender Paul Dummett. The Welsh international is nominally a left back but, as he did after half time last week, he produced a sterling effort as a centre half against Eddie Howe’s team.
The 27-year-old is all about blood and guts defending and you can tell he really cares about the club. He didn’t stop working all afternoon long and he produced a moment that will live as long in the memory as either of the Newcastle goals.
His goal line clearance to deny Callum Wilson was absolute genius. He somehow managed to hook the ball off the goal line when everyone else in a black and white shirt had given up on it. It’s arguable that that moment changed the course of the game, too.
Fernandez on the other hand…
Federico Fernandez, like Dummett, was given a starting berth with centre backs Fabian Schar and Jamaal Lascelles missing this game through injury and suspension.
While the Welshman impressed profusely, the Argentine did not. Fernandez is an experienced Premier League performer, but he looked seriously rusty as he struggled to get to grips with the game at the Vitality Stadium.
With Schar, at least, expected to be back for the Magpies’ next game after the international break, let’s consider who out of Dummett and Fernandez is more likely to drop out of the starting line up. It doesn’t take a genius to work it out, does it?
Rondon impresses yet again
Rafael Benitez’s decision to bring Rondon in on loan from West Bromwich Albion in the summer has proved to be an inspired one. This was another performance from the Venezuelan international bristling with quality and tremendous end product.
His free kick to put the Magpies in front was nothing short of sensational. You associate Rondon with terrific hold up play and powerful headers, but he showed he possesses excellent set-piece technique as well here.
He led the line wonderfully once again, using his physical presence and his enviable aerial ability to unsettle the home defence. He is perfectly suited to the way Benitez wants his Newcastle team to play and that was hammered home once again on Saturday.
