Rather than curse and shout after Ritchie's last minute equaliser, I just smiled while applauding the genius of the man. Yes, it was annoying that he should stop Bournemouth from getting to 40 points, but there was something inside me that remembered the cheeky Matt Ritchie who used to do that sort of thing for Bournemouth.
Who would have thought that Ritchie would be waiting on the other end of the cross and would instinctively shape to try and hit a wonder goal. He hadn't given Boruc any worries, but for a few crosses during the previous 90 minutes and he was having to create his own space with Clyne and King in close attendance. But he watched the ball fall perfectly on to his left foot and the finish was so sharp, I can't blame Boruc for not getting anywhere near it.
The frustration of the incident really got to Clyne who we could see hammering his fist repeatedly on the ground knowing that the three points had gone. It was interesting to see that it mattered to him so much as a player on loan. Surely he has bought into the Bournemouth life now and perhaps he can see a future on the south coast beyond the next seven games.
As for Ritchie. Take a bow son. I commend him for the restrained celebrations. That must have been hard for him, because he knows it was an absolute screamer and I can understand why he wanted to raise his arms and say how about that to the Newcastle fans as they need the points as well. Newcastle contributed to a great game.
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| Matt Ritchie is still a player who can conjure magical finishes. |
I'd have liked to have beaten Newcastle, especially as they had got one over us earlier on the season. Before the match though, I felt that it could be a 1-1 draw and I was really pleased on entering added time seeing AFCB 2-1 up. The game should have been won I suppose but I didn't see a great many mistakes in the run up to Newcastle's equaliser. Yes, players could have got closer to Yedlin who had pulled out wide, but when you are past 90 minutes into a game the legs can't always do what the mind wants them to do.
Who would have thought that Ritchie would be waiting on the other end of the cross and would instinctively shape to try and hit a wonder goal. He hadn't given Boruc any worries, but for a few crosses during the previous 90 minutes and he was having to create his own space with Clyne and King in close attendance. But he watched the ball fall perfectly on to his left foot and the finish was so sharp, I can't blame Boruc for not getting anywhere near it.
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The frustration of the incident really got to Clyne who we could see hammering his fist repeatedly on the ground knowing that the three points had gone. It was interesting to see that it mattered to him so much as a player on loan. Surely he has bought into the Bournemouth life now and perhaps he can see a future on the south coast beyond the next seven games.
As for Ritchie. Take a bow son. I commend him for the restrained celebrations. That must have been hard for him, because he knows it was an absolute screamer and I can understand why he wanted to raise his arms and say how about that to the Newcastle fans as they need the points as well. Newcastle contributed to a great game.
