Newcastle United moved out of the relegation zone at the expense of Bournemouth, and had the heroic performance of their goalkeeper, Rob Elliot, to thank for only their second win of the season. Bournemouth bombarded Elliot’s goal but it was Steve McClaren’s side who smuggled the three points away from the south coast, recording their first away win since they beat Hull City 3-1 in January.  Related: Manchester United far from pretty but Jesse Lingard sinks West Brom  The Republic of Ireland international again deputised for the injured number one, Tim Krul, having been nursed through training during the week after limping off at Stoke City last Saturday. Elliot stood firm when the defence in front of him capsized, as they struggled to contain Bournemouth’s attacking trio of Matt Ritchie, Junior Stanislas and Joshua King, amid the swirling wind and relentless rain.  Newcastle’s only meaningful attack of the entire 90 minutes handed them a priceless away victory, when Ayoze Pérez fired his third goal of the season past the Bournemouth goalkeeper, Adam Federici, who should have done better.  “It just shows, football sometimes can be unexplainable and sometimes during a season you get that,” said the Newcastle manager, McClaren, after watching his side cling on for the victory. “We got the result through character, through endeavour, through organisation and perseverance. We defended for our lives and, when we did that, we got through it.  “I think people talk about goalkeepers getting you points and, if you are a top keeper, you get 15 or 20 points because of performances like that. Last week, he made a great save and got us a point, and today he got us three points, without a shadow of a doubt.”  “You will see him walk out with cotton wool wrapped around him for the next two weeks, so that’s what we will have to do. Karl Darlow is not far from it, but Rob has been heroic the last two games to get us through what was a big crisis, and we need more of that.”  Newcastle will have to rely on character a lot more this season if they do not improve the quality of their football. McClaren’s side were second best throughout and failed to conjure up anything more than the one, decisive shot on target. Chancel Mbemba and Fabricio Coloccini struggled to contain King, while the gritty Bournemouth midfielder Harry Arter ensured his side won the midfield battle on only his third appearance of the season.  McClaren, surprisingly, did not change tactics or personnel at half-time, despite a lethargic first 45 minutes. Immediately after the break, his men were vulnerable once more. The Bournemouth defender Adam Smith rampaged down the right flank, crossing for the on-running Ritchie, who sent a flying header towards goal, only for his effort to be tipped over by Elliot.  “I was disappointed with our game with the ball, it was like a hot potato – we could not keep the ball,” said McClaren of his side’s display. “We will take the three points and quickly go back home.”  Related: Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy eyes scoring record after helping defeat Watford  In the 27th minute, the Newcastle defender Paul Dummett had found Aleksandar Mitrovic, who superbly back-heeled for Georginio Wijnaldum. He drove forward before feeding Pérez, who rounded off the visitors’ only quality move of the game. The striker was left unchallenged, shrugging off the attentions of Dan Gosling and Simon Francis to slot home.  The preceding minutes were dominated by Bournemouth. King, playing the lone-striker role, forced Elliot into smart saves four times in the first half alone. Earlier, King had got the better of the Newcastle captain, Coloccini, but any claims of a penalty were dismissed by the referee, Lee Mason. Bournemouth had 20 shots at the Newcastle goal, 16 corners and six minutes of added time to find a way through, but they could not beat Elliot.  Eddie Howe could not, however, call upon the qualities of his striker Glenn Murray, who was left out of the match-day squad. “I have not fallen out with anybody and, unfortunately for me, I have to pick players to play,” said Howe, of his decision to omit the former Crystal Palace striker from his squad. “The keeper has had a very good day and made some good saves.  “The pleasing thing is that we did create chances and, if we create those again, you would bank on us to score three or four goals.”
Bournemouth’s striking weakness and good work by the goalkeeper Rob Elliot enabled Newcastle to move out of the bottom three with a 1-0 win through Ayoze Pérez’s first-half goal