Steve McLaren's men, who have won only two of their last 22 Premier League games, looked to make a bright start at Dean Court, but it was the hosts who had the first shot at goal when Joshua King forced keeper Rob Elliot to tip over the bar.

Ayoze Perez of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between A.F.C. Bournemouth and Newcastle United at Vitality Stadium on November 7, 2015 in Bournemouth, England. © Getty Images

Moments later, Charlie Daniels managed to drill a low, menacing cross in from the right flank, which Matt Ritchie latched on to but scuffed his subsequent effort.

Eddie Howe's side, who started the game one point ahead of the Magpies, continued to apply pressure in the early stages as Joshua King was inadvertently played in on goal by Vurnon Anita before Elliot raced off his line to deny the Norwegian.

Bournemouth's English-born Irish midfielder Harry Arter (L) vies against Newcastle United's Ivorian midfielder Cheick Tiote during the English Premier League football match between Bournemouth and Newcastle United at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, s © Getty Images

King then appealed for a penalty after going down under a challenge from Fabricio Coloccini, but Lee Mason was uninterested in the protests of the ex-Blackburn Rovers player.

The attacker was again in the thick of the action as he wrong-footed Coloccini twice, but appeared to be reluctant to shoot with his left foot. His hesitance allowed Elliot to keep United on terms.

Steve McClaren manager of Newcastle United and Eddie Howe Manager of Bournemouth greet prior to the Barclays Premier League match between A.F.C. Bournemouth and Newcastle United at Vitality Stadium on November 7, 2015 in Bournemouth, England. © Getty Images

Bournemouth, who have lost every game in which they have fallen behind, duly conceded against the run of play as Perez took possession from the feet of Georginio Wijnaldum and poked the ball past Adam Federici. The Australian did manage to get a palm to Perez's shot, but could not stop it trickling into the net.

The Cherries tried to bounce back before the interval, but Adam Smith's well-struck effort flew narrowly over the Newcastle bar.