NEWCASTLE UNITED recorded back-to-back wins for the first time under Steve Bruce after a 2-1 victory over Bournemouth at St James’ Park.

It wasn’t wholly convincing, but the home side rallied in the second half to turn the game around. 

Ciaran Clark netted the winner seven minutes into the second half, after DeAndre Yedlin cancelled out Harry Wilson’s opener in the closing stages of the first. 

While the strikers only have one goal between them this term, defenders have now scored seven.

Bruce admitted his side were perhaps a little fortunate in the end but praised their spirit despite the front line’s failure to fire yet again.

“I was delighted with the attitude and the spirit they showed,” he said.

“It was a difficult first 20 minutes, then we regrouped and got the goal at the right time. We were a bit fortunate, but after we scored we deserved to go on and win it.



“If we are being critical, we’ve had five or six one-on-ones in the past two games and not taken one.

“The crowd played their part, they enjoyed the threat we pose with the pace and power. We just need [the strikers] to grab a goal.”

After a clash between Callum Wilson, Martin Dubravka and Jamaal Lascelles, which saw the Newcastle pair come off worse and the latter eventually substituted, Bournemouth settled quicker.

Ryan Fraser was unlucky to see a strike from distance whistle past the post, while Dubravka stopped what looked a certain goal on the line from Josh King’s cutback.

Jetro Willems tested Aaron Ramsdale moments later, but the home side were punished for their sluggish start in the 15th minute. Fraser’s short corner routine eventually made itself to Wilson, who rattled the ball past Dubravka in a flash — a textbook training-ground goal.

Efforts from Jonjo Shelvey and Joelinton failed to spark Newcastle, who were looking for enigmatic winger Allain Saint-Maximin at every turn, into life. 

The Frenchman was being marked out of the game and starved of options; by the half hour mark, it looked as though they were out of ideas.

Fraser almost crept in after Dubravka misjudged a long ball but Yedlin was there to clear the danger. Saint-Maximin crashed one against the bar before his deflected shot was headed in by Yedlin three minutes before half time. Somehow, the Magpies were level.

They went ahead when Clark bundled home Willem’s cross at the far post, via header by Federico Fernandez. Suddenly, there was some zip about their play, a confidence that wasn’t there before. 

Almiron, in dire need of some luck, saw a chance go begging despite doing everything right; he rounded Ramsdale, but his shot deflected off Saint-Maximin and fell wide after the winger had broken free. 

Bournemouth should have grabbed a point in stoppage-time, but King somehow headed Fraser’s corner the wrong side of the post.

Eddie Howe said the Cherries made “uncharacteristic errors,” which proved costly.

“We’re hugely frustrated,” he said.

“We started the game so well, then made some uncharacteristic errors and that let Newcastle back into the match.

“It is dangerous to give Newcastle transitions with the pace they’ve got.”