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Cape Town - Newcastle United wasted a host of golden opportunities to score and were made to pay the price, as Steve Cook's late goal handed Bournemouth the victory in Saturday's Premier League clash at St. James' Park.
Newcastle started well against a nervy Cherries outfit and a Matt Ritchie piledriver from distance, after he cut inside from the right, forced Asmir Begovic into a full length diving fingertip save in the sixth minute.
10 minutes later Dwight Gayle perhaps should have scored as he met a cross from the right, but his header hit Steve Cook when anything on target from close range would likely have gone in.
Three minutes later the woodwork denied United as Ritchie hit another rasping drive from outside the area, however, it thundered into the post. The rebound fell to Gayle who put the ball home although a flag went up for offside.
It was one-way traffic although just before the break Bournemouth had their best spell as Callum Wilson's looping header was tipped over by Rob Elliot, before the keeper saved an effort from Joshua King moments later.
After the interval, Joselu had his header clawed over the bar by Begovic as the home team continued to threaten. Nonetheless, the visitors had a massive opportunity to take the lead as Joshua King sent Callum Wilson clear in the 52nd minute, but the forward fired into the side-netting with just the keeper to beat.
The chances dried up in the majority of the rest of the half although with time running out, Marc Pugh went on a mazy run and saw his strike hit the post in the 87th minute. Yet, there was even later drama as Cook was the hero for Eddie Howe’s men, as he headed home Andrew Surman’s cross to seal the three points.
