Here is one secret Dan Ashworth does not have to smuggle out of St James’ Park - Newcastle United cannot defend. They can, however, salvage results amid a storm of their own making.
Two weeks on from a 4-4 draw at home to Luton, here was another chaotic match laying bare their weaknesses. Two points dropped? In truth, much like Luton, this was one point gained.
If this is to be Ashworth’s last match as the club’s sporting director, to finish it with Jacob Murphy as an emergency striker - Newcastle’s third of the afternoon - does not speak well of his transfer planning.
But there were sirens blaring all over the place for the home team here.
Bournemouth would have been deserved winners if not for the 92nd-minute intervention of their former player Matt Ritchie. Indeed, the 34-year-old feels as much like a former Newcastle player at times, so rarely is he seen. This was his first goal in nearly four years.
But what a big goal it was, lashing in from close range after his own header across goal was deflected back into his path.
The substitute then kicked the corner flag harder than he had the ball, a nod to a previous celebration when he booted a flag into the crotch of a supporter. And boy did this feel like a kick in the nether regions for Bournemouth.
They led twice through Dominic Solanke and Antoine Semenyo, either side of Anthony Gordon’s equaliser from the penalty spot. Andoni Iraola’s visitors were the better team.
It took Newcastle more than three minutes to get possession of the ball from kick-off, so slow was their start. Bournemouth, by contrast, were quick out of the blocks. Too quick in the case of Semenyo, whose team-mates could not keep up as he burst down the right and delivered through the goalmouth without takers.
While there was method to the visiting attacks, the home side’s endeavours were a little more jumbled. Gordon chased down Neto’s attempted clearance and the ball fizzed wide before the makeshift striker headed the wrong side of the post from Kieran Trippier’s volleyed centre. And that was it from Newcastle for the first half hour.
By then, Bournemouth should have been two goals ahead. That they were not owed more to the saves of Martin Dubravka than the finishing of Dominic Solanke, who was twice denied by the goalkeeper.
The first chance, on 16 minutes, preyed on Newcastle’s lack of pace in defence as Justin Kluivert accelerated clear of Sven Botman before squaring for Solanke. It looked like a simple conversion but his eight-yard sweep was repelled by a diving Dubravka.
The second save was even more impressive, this time from half that range after Solanke connected with Marcus Tavernier’s wicked low centre. Dubravka, somehow, blocked on the line.
But from hero to zero, it was Dubravka’s slip in the 51st minute that allowed Solanke to exact his revenge by pouncing to turn in from barely a couple of yards out.
Newcastle levelled when a lengthy VAR check determined Adam Smith had tugged on the shirt of Fabian Schar and Gordon slotted home on 58 minutes.
The scorer then had the chance of a second when played clear by Almiron but he hesitated and Neto snaffled.
Within 60 seconds the Cherries were in front, Semenyo slamming into the bottom corner to climax a swift break after Dan Burn had stood off the winger in fear of being beaten for pace.
Bournemouth were in control thereafter and it was always likely to take a moment of chaos for the hosts to nick a result. That is just how it is for Newcastle right now.