Bournemouth 0 Newcastle 0 – A great point and (defensive!) performance from United | OneFootball

Eddie Howe will have been pleased with many aspects of this performance today.

Only some 64 hours after a full on night match against Barcelona in the Champions League, Eddie Howe felt the need to make seven of ten outfield changes and change to a different formation.

Malick Thiaw coming in for his first NUFC start and along with Botman and Burn, the three central defenders helping to limit the home side to next to no clear chances.

Bournemouth managing only two efforts on target in the entire match. Nick Pope saving well with his boot in the first half, then an excellent save from a free-kick in the last minute of normal time. It felt like the referee favoured Bournemouth throughout with decisions on free-kicks and when he gave one right on the edge of the box for what looked a ridiculously harsh handball, you feared the worst. However, Kluivert’s well hit low effort was met by a very good Pope save as he pushed the ball away from danger and ensured the deserved point.

Nobody, least of all Eddie Howe, is going to pretend this was a great watch. It was a shocker as a fan of either team, never mind if you were watching it as a neutral.

However, this fourth clean sheet for Nick Pope in five Premier League matches, only one PL goal conceded so far when Newcastle have had a full 11 on the pitch, Eddie Howe has absolutely got his side well drilled and disciplined.

Bournemouth have had a great start to the season and would have gone second in the table with a win today, they have won against Wolves and Brighton at home plus 1-0 away at Spurs, they were the better team at Anfield and drawing 2-2 with two minutes to go, only for Liverpool to win it late.

The Cherries are a very smart team with a great manager and particularly tough to play on their home ground. On the plus side, I have never watched us play there in recent years and looked so comfortable on the defensive side of things.

Going the other direction, next to little to talk about.

Nick Woltemade clearly dragged back by his shirt in the penalty area but the referee refusing to give the penalty, the VAR claiming not enough of a foul to overrule the referee.

Barnes came on and a direct dribble into the box saw the last defender just get a toe to the ball rather then giving a penalty away. There were some nice passing movements at times and one led to Tonali on the edge of his box putting his shot over the bar.

Woltemade showed some nice touches and turns at times, making one very good run into the box but his final ball failing him. In general though, Newcastle United not creative enough and still getting used to how to best feed the new striker, who needs the ball into feet as much as possible, not launched high.

Newcastle United have had such a tough opening set of games, including against Barcelona on Thursday night. Eddie Howe’s attacking plans badly affected by Isak and then two strikers coming in so late and one of them picking up an instant injury.

I wouldn’t be against the club refunding the travelling NUFC fans their ticket and transport cash today, as it was a boring watch.

However, that doesn’t take away from the fact that taking all the circumstances together, this was a great point and United looking very solid, even when making seven changes and playing against a team who had all week to prepare.

Doing it without Bruno and Joelinton, plus many others.

It is a long season and once we get Wissa back and Woltemade fully up to speed with Eddie’s way of doing things, plus of course Elanga as well full integrated and Anthony Gordon back available and fully focused playing on the left.

I am fully convinced we will see United grow and grow into the season.

These goalless draws on the road against Villa, Leeds and Bournemouth haven’t been the best of watches, BUT what they have done is ensure no early crisis in very difficult overall circumstances and build confidence and belief throughout the team.

Bournemouth 0 Newcastle 0 – Sunday 21 September 2025 2pm

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Bournemouth:

Possession was Newcastle 44% Bournemouth 56%

Total shots were Newcastle 4 Bournemouth 11

Shots on target were Newcastle 1 Bournemouth 2

Corners were Newcastle 2 Bournemouth 5

Touches in the box Newcastle 18 Bournemouth 16

Newcastle team v Bournemouth:

Pope, Livramento, Thiaw (Lascelles 84), Botman, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Miley, Willock (Barnes 62), Woltemade (Osula 84), Murphy (Elandga 62)

Unused subs:

Ramsdale, Trippier, Joelinton, Krafth, Bruno

Newcastle United fixtures definitely confirmed dates and times (All of the Champions League matches will also be available to watch on TV in the UK):

Wednesday 24 September – Newcastle v Bradford (7.45pm) Sky Sports+

Sunday 28 September– Newcastle v Arsenal (4.30pm) Sky Sports

Wednesday 1st October: Union SG vs Newcastle United (5.45pm)

Sunday 5 October– Newcastle v Forest (2pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 18 October – Brighton v Newcastle (3pm)

Tuesday 21st October: Newcastle United vs Benfica (8pm)

Saturday 25 October – Newcastle v Fulham (3pm)

Sunday 2 November – West Ham v Newcastle (2pm) Sky Sports

Wednesday 5th November: Newcastle United vs Athletic Club (8pm)

Sunday 9 November – Brentford v Newcastle (2pm) Sky Sports