Alan Shearer says a point on the road at Bournemouth is a sign of how far the club has come in the last 12 months. The Newcastle United legend admits the Magpies were somewhat lucky with their performance at the Vitality Stadium as Eddie Howe returned to the club where he spent the majority of his career.
It was the struggling Cherries who opened the scoring through Marcos Senesi before Miguel Almiron equalised for the Magpies on the stroke of half-time. Newcastle were far from their fluent best and were thankful for Kieran Tripper for clearing Dominic Solanke's flick off the line to ensure a share of the spoils.
Shearer told Match of The Day: "I think you would have snapped your hand off for a point away from home and it just shows how far they've come that they were disappointed in the point they get today because of the such high standards that they've set. There were so many players off form today.
READ MORE: Newcastle punished, emotional Eddie Howe and Bournemouth's brutal Ryan Fraser chant - 5 things
"Too many passes like that [Longstaff putting one out of play]. Most of the team were at it to be honest, in a similar way - Saint-Maximin - it didn't quite work out for him again today.
"They perhaps got a bit lucky here - Dan Burn had a day to forget - Traore catches him on the ball and he's got Kieran Trippier to thank. Really good defending, knows his team is in trouble, it falls to Solanke and he flicks it there, what a clearance that is.
"They'll have better days but they're undefeated again. That's the positive - Bournemouth deserved it. Where they are now - Newcastle - compared to where they were is a big improvement."
Our 48-page Carabao Cup final special is available to pre-order now! Click HERE to get your copy as Newcastle United prepare for a historic day out at Wembley. Also available to purchase through local participating retailers from February 15.
READ NEXT
Newcastle owners' most important addition had 'perfect way' to enter club after emotional exit
Eddie Howe reveals what Newcastle have to 'dramatically change' for Financial Fair Play solution
Everything Eddie Howe said on Strawberry Place, Newcastle injuries & Bournemouth at press conference
Newcastle's FFP strategy could save millions after potential 'top player' with attributes found
Graeme Jones opens up on untold pain he has 'never got over' and Newcastle's transformation
