AFCB's defence was strong despite Newcastle's goal

While we won't harp on about it for too long, Newcastle's goal against the Cherries was the only disappointing event that Tyne & Wear had to serve up at the weekend. Sitting 0-2 away from home with a howling Newcastle crowd none too pleased about the story unfolding before them, it probably came as a bit of a shock when Perez found the back of the net on 80 minutes.

I'd like to highlight the quality of Jonjo Shelvey's curved pass from the back that negotiated AFCB's midfield and defence, ending at the feet of Perez in his stride. It was a real peach of a pass for Newcastle. It split Cook and Francis and even with Franno and Smith trying to get back on terms, it left too much for them to do. Artur Boruc made the decision to come out to try and narrow the angle, but the ball he went down early and the shot flew past him. It is not often that the Cherries get caught out by a long through ball, but I think the quality and vision of Shelvey's pass was exceptional while the starting positions of Cook and Francis made the possibility for the pass.

Eddie did not have too much to grumble about after the 1-3 win at Newcastle.

Luckily Newcastle did not really get any more momentum after the goal. It was also late on in the game. The Cherries have become good spoilers of games and as early as the hour mark the referee was having words after Charlie Daniels was taking his time to get the ball back into play from a throw on. It had been comfortable at 0-2 and yet there was a few moments of uncertainty that crept into the Cherries' game when the gap had been cut to a one goal lead.

It says a lot about the team though that they went again and Charlie Daniels made the game safe. I would have been inclined to rate the back four much higher if they had have kept a clean sheet as to do that at St James' Park would have been terrific. While the clean sheet escaped our lads this time though they are showing that the team is defending particularly well and was able to weather Newcastle's early storm when they did have the home crowd with them for a while. 

Eddie Howe said that AFCB did not make it easy for themselves at times and keeping leads with a tight defence is something that has been an area where improvements can still be made, but the Cherries are starting to see out games now and back to back wins are pushing the Cherries towards a strong end to the season.

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