Overview

• Newcastle drew 0-0 at Bournemouth, making it three straight goalless away league games and four clean sheets in five across domestic fixtures.
• Eddie Howe made seven changes from the Barcelona loss, benching captain Bruno Guimaraes due to recent Brazil duty and travel and keeping Joelinton out to protect his knee.
• New signing Nick Woltemade led the line, earned praise for link play, and was highlighted by Howe as a different type of striker who needs better service compared with Alexander Isak.
• Yoane Wissa is expected to be out for about a month, Anthony Gordon returns from suspension, Fabian Schar is injured, and debutant Malick Thiaw impressed alongside Sven Botman and Dan Burn.
• Theo Walcott questioned Howe’s rotation management on BBC’s Match of the Day, as the head coach signals a strong focus on the Carabao Cup defence with Bradford City up next.