Dubravka suffers horror blunder as he slips on his line to gift Solanke goal vs Newcastle
NEWCASTLE keeper Martin Dubravka’s calamitous slip gifted Dominic Solanke the opening goal against Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon.
The Slovakian, 35, has been deputising for the injured Nick Pope since his serious shoulder injury in December.
But he endured a nightmare moment in the early stages of the second half at St James’ Park.
Dubravka received a pass from Sven Botman inside his own six-yard box but proceeded to slip at the crucial moment as Solanke closed him down.
And it provided the English striker with a gift as he pounced on the error to tap into an empty net.
Solanke’s opener came six minutes into the second half, but Newcastle were not behind for long.
Shortly before the hour mark, referee Michael Salisbury went over to the pitchside monitor to look at a potential penalty for a foul on Fabian Schar.
The spot kick was awarded, before Anthony Gordon dispatched from 12 yards to level things up.
But Bournemouth then went back in front in the 69th minute through Antoine Semenyo.
Newcastle came into the game unbeaten in four matches as they continue to recover from a difficult run of results over the festive period.
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Wins over Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest have put them back in the mix for European football next season.
Meanwhile, Bournemouth headed to the North East with an eight-point buffer to the relegation zone.
But they came up against Eddie Howe’s men having not won any of their last three Premier League games.
Draws with West Ham and Nottingham Forest were followed up last weekend by a 3-1 defeat away at Fulham.