Steve McClaren as Ayoze Perez's goal secured a
fortuitous 1-0 win at Bournemouth.
Newcastle United head coach Steve McClaren felt his team
enjoyed some overdue fortune in the 1-0 Premier League victory
at AFC Bournemouth.
The visitors were on the defensive for the vast majority of the
match at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday, although Ayoze
Perez managed to squeeze their only shot of the first half
beyond Adam Federici in the Bournemouth goal.
Federici's opposite number Rob Elliot enjoyed an inspired
afternoon at the other end and McClaren accepted that dogged
defending came to the fore as the creative aspects of
Newcastle's game almost completely failed to fire.
"Sometimes football just cannot be explained," McClaren told BT
Sport.
"We've played so well recently - great performances, great
football and haven't got the results.
"Today we couldn't play football. It [the ball] was like a hot
potato.
"One bit of quality, great football, to get the goal – a little bit
more of that and we'd have been comfortable but we caused
our own problem today.
"Credit to Bournemouth they kept coming and coming, playing
with intensity and creating chances.
"We worked hard for our luck. We've not had it in recent weeks;
we've had it today. We'll take it."
Elliot played a starring role after fears he would miss the game
due to a thigh injury but McClaren was left to praise the
goalkeeper for an effective rearguard action.
"We were worried after last week's game but he's trained. He
was magnificent and that's what you need," the former England
boss added.
"Sometimes you have to dig in and sometimes you have
defining moments. They are usually blocks, headers or saves.
"We had two great saves from Robbie today that kept us in the
game and got us the win."
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