It's now just one defeat in seven Premier League outings for Newcastle, but their inability to win for only the second time this season saw them greeted by mild booing at the final whistle on Saturday.

Much has changed domestically since United last played, but many of the on-field shortcomings evident during the scoreless home draw with Palace a fortnight ago were prominent again today.

Facing his former employers for the first time as either a manager or player, Eddie Howe was grateful for the positive VAR call this time round that allowed his current side to net and salvage a point.

That incident came midway through the second half when Kieran Trippier's protests that Bournemouth's Jefferson Lerma had handled the ball in the box belatedly sent match referee Craig Pawson to check the pitchside monitor.

He concurred and Alexander Isak confidently placed his spot kick to Neto's right in the Leazes goal for a second goal since his record-breaking arrival.

That penalty conversion cancelled out a lead that the jacaranda (lilac) clad visitors had enjoyed for just five minutes; a rare attack ending when Philip Billing's first-time flick beat a surprised Nick Pope at his near post.

Isak's spot kick success came on an afternoon when United enjoyed almost total dominance (an almost unprecedented 72% possession level) but provided virtually no threat in the opposition area.

Starting well but without testing a visiting goalkeeper who had pulled up with an apparent groin strain after just five minutes, a 27th minute free kick in perfect Trippier territory raised hopes of a breakthrough. On this occasion however the Magpies defender's effort flicked off the base of a post.

The Gallowgate goal frame again came to Bournemouth's rescue during a frantic passage of play just before half time - Neto denying both Ryan Fraser and Joelinton after the Brazilian had struck the woodwork.

That brought the home crowd to life and noise levels were raised again after Isak's equaliser, but while a redoubling of effort was expected, United sadly reverted to unproductive sideways passing sequences, interspersed with inaccurate and wasteful crosses.

Almiron and Fraser were particularly poor in terms of end product, but nobody made a particularly good impression today. That even included Pope, who survived one sticky moment in the first half when stranded in no-man's land as Marcus Tavernier stole in to head the ball wide.

Still lacking Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson, Howe was able to restore Bruno to the starting line-up, but he was some way off his brilliant best and too often sitting deep. There's an argument that playing Sven Botman may have allowed him to push forward slightly further.

Aside from his goal meanwhile, Isak didn't get many touches of the ball - although he did end up on the wrong end of several dubious challenges, including two apparent elbows to the face.

Coupled with the frustrating afternoon that unfolded, the absence of Wor Flags from proceedings adversely affected the atmosphere - emphasising just how integral the organised fan-led support has become here. 

Newcastle return to action in a fortnight when they attempt to notch up what would be a third successive victory at Craven Cottage - a task that looks rather more difficult than the one that they were unable to accomplish here today against another newly-promoted side.

It's reasonable to assume however that Fulham will harbour greater attacking ambitions than Bournemouth, giving United the opportunity to play their more natural counter-attacking game and hopefully reap the rewards.

And while the injury that sidelined Saint-Maximin hasn't cleared up as quickly as anticipated, the hoped-for return of Wilson at Fulham offers up the prospect him sharing a pitch with Isak.

Biffa