Bournemouth and Newcastle play out scrappy draw

Nick Pope denied substitute Justin Kluivert a late winner as Newcastle United and Bournemouth played out a goalless draw at the Vitality Stadium.

Dutch forward Kluivert had a chance to win it for the home side in stoppage time, but Pope parried his free-kick from the edge of the area.

It was the only chance of note in the second half in a game lacking goal mouth action on the south coast.

Bournemouth have made their best start to a Premier League season and the in-form hosts had look to strike early against much-changed Newcastle.

An enterprising run from David Brooks set up Tyler Adams in the opening stages, but the midfielder's stinging effort was kept out by Pope's foot.

Newcastle, who lined up with a back three, also went close early on but Jacob Murphy had a shot blocked at the near post by Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic. It proved the visitors' only effort of note.

Newcastle's record signing Nick Woltemade later had a penalty appeal waved away after Bournemouth defender Bafode Diakite grabbed hold of his shirt inside the box in the second half.

Bournemouth fans, meanwhile, were furious when Newcastle defender Malick Thiaw avoided a second booking after substitute Ryan Christie was brought down outside the box late on.

But both sides ultimately had to settle for a share of the spoils - just as they did in the corresponding fixture last season.

Newcastle analysis: A point but another blank on road

Newcastle had no time to dwell. Less than 72 hours after tasting defeat against Barcelona, they were embarking on their longest away trip of the top-flight campaign.

Sunday felt a psychological test as much as a physical one against a relentless Bournemouth side - and away days certainly not do come much tougher than a trip to the Vitality.

Newcastle had not won at Bournemouth in front of supporters in nearly a decade. Home or away, head coach Eddie Howe has yet to defeat his former side in the Premier League since taking charge of Newcastle nearly four years ago.

Perhaps, then, it was not a surprise that Howe switched to a back three and ensured his side had a solid defensive base to build from with Thiaw, Lewis Hall and Sven Botman among seven changes.

After weathering some early pressure, though, Newcastle lacked a cutting edge with Woltemade tidy in linking play, but only having one touch inside the opposition box in the first half.

Newcastle had just one effort on target as they became just the second team in top-flight history to record goalless draws in their first three away top-flight matches to a season.

Bournemouth analysis: Hosts shown ultimate respect

Few sides cope after losing one key player - let alone three crucial defenders in a single transfer window.

But Bournemouth have not just muddled through after selling Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez and Illia Zabarnyi - the Cherries have lost just one top-flight fixture in the opening weeks of the campaign and that was away at Liverpool.

New centre-back Diakite and full-back Adrien Truffert have slotted in and, going forward, this side caught Wolves, Spurs and Brighton cold with early goals on the way to victory.

There was no repeat against Newcastle but it was a mark of Howe's respect for his former side that he, tellingly, moved from his favoured 4-3-3 formation and played three central defenders.

Bournemouth still had their chances, though, through Adams and Kluivert, and it was the Cherries who were pushing for a winner in stoppage time.

That will give manager Andoni Iraola encouragement with his side riding high in third place.

What's next for these teams?

Bournemouth travel to Elland Road to face Leeds United in the Premier League on Saturday, 27 September.

Newcastle start their defence of the Carabao Cup against Bradford City at St James' Park on Wednesday, 24 September before welcoming Arsenal to Tyneside four days later.