Newcastle United snatched a late draw against Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday.
BBC Sport pundit Kevin Kilbane has claimed that you can always guarantee a ‘first class’ delivery from Newcastle United’s Matt Ritchie following his side’s 2-2 draw at Bournemouth on Saturday.
The Magpies took the lead in the encounter through a brilliant Salomon Rondon free-kick but the visitors struck back with two goals from Josh King as they were leading the match going into stoppage-time.
But late on in the game, former Cherries man, Ritchie produced the goods for his team as he scored a vicious volley to help snatch a point away from home.
Speaking to Final Score on BBC One (16/03/2019 at 17:20 pm), Kilbane lauded the qualities of Ritchie and hailed the manner in which he scored his late goal.
“I think with Ritchie the one thing you can guarantee when he gets himself in a bit of space is delivery,” Kilbane told Final Score. “His delivery is always first class. We have seen him arriving at the far post against Bournemouth, which I think the way Benitez plays he doesn’t want them pushed onto too far.
“He got himself in an advanced position. The technique is sensational. The power on the strike coming over somebody’s head to get the technique and the timing was an incredible finish by him.”
Since joining the club in 2016, Ritchie has been an underrated figure for Rafa Benitez, helping them secure promotion back to the top tier and then finish in the Premier League’s top 10.
For large parts, he has played on the right-hand side for his team, but he has also showcased his versatility by playing through the middle and as a wing-back.
Whether it be goals, assists, set-piece quality or sheer hard work from the front, Ritchie has been one of Newcastle’s consistent performers in recent seasons.
Added with that, when he does score a goal, he has proven that he can find the net in spectacular fashion as was proven against his former club.
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