Eddie Howe calls Matt Ritchie an inspiration after he rescues Newcastle a point
Newcastle’s Matt Ritchie (centre) scored a late equaliser in a 2-2 Premier League draw with Bournemouth (Owen Humphreys/PA)
Relieved Newcastle boss Eddie Howe hailed “inspirational” Matt Ritchie after seeing him come off the bench to snatch a Premier League draw with former club Bournemouth.
The 34-year-old midfielder struck seconds after his stoppage-time introduction – his first goal since July 2022 – to hand the Magpies a 2-2 draw as they twice came from behind to deny the Cherries.
Head coach Howe said: “He’s an inspirational character behind the scenes. He’s someone who in training every day, he drives standards.
Newcastle’s Matt Ritchie celebrates his late equaliser against Bournemouth (Owen Humphreys/PA)
“He’s very vocal, very enthusiastic. Even in the changing room before the game, he’s the one driving the group – and that’s someone who hasn’t played as much as he’d like, but he’s put the team ahead of his own needs.
“When you see someone like that, you just hope they will get their reward. I’ve tried to reward him with my value being as high as it could be and desperately wanting to keep him here last year because of those standards he drives, and because he’s a role model.
“He gives his experience to players in ways that even I don’t know. For him to get that moment and score that goal, it’s huge for us and I’m delighted for him.”
Ritchie’s intervention could hardly have been better-timed on an eventful afternoon at St James’ Park.
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola (right) was furious over a controversial penalty decision at Newcastle (Owen Humphreys/PA)
After a first half during which goalkeeper Martin Dubravka had keep the hosts in the game, he inadvertently handed Bournemouth a 51st-minute lead when he slipped
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