Newcastle United vs Bournemouth. Premier League.
St James' Park, NewcastleAttendance52,227.
Newcastle United 1
- B Guimarães (25th minute)
Bournemouth 4
- J Kluivert (6th minute, 44th minute, 92nd minute)
- M Kerkez (96th minute)
Newcastle 1-4 Bournemouth: Justin Kluivert hat-trick powers Cherries win as Andoni Iraola's side enter race for Europe
Report and free highlights as Justin Kluivert's treble earned Bournemouth their 10th win of the season; Milos Kerkez scored a late fourth; Newcastle fell to their first loss since early December; Cherries leapfrog Man City and draw level with Chelsea in the Premier League table
Saturday 18 January 2025 17:23, UK
The Premier League's most in-form side were halted by a hat-trick of brilliant goals from Justin Kluivert as sloppy Newcastle fell to a 4-1 loss against Bournemouth at St James' Park.
Eddie Howe's side had won each of their last nine games in all competitions and were searching for a history-making 10th but were unfortunate to meet a Bournemouth team in an equally buoyant mood.
The Cherries, firmly in the hunt for a European place, have temporarily leapfrogged Manchester City in the Premier League table and are level on 37 points with Chelsea following an all-action display that stunned Newcastle into submission.
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Kluivert's first-half double - only Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (11) has scored more goals away from home this season - put Bournemouth in a commanding position, sweeping home Antoine Semenyo's low cross in the seventh minute before Dango Ouattara fed the Dutchman for his second just before half-time.
Sandwiched between was a Bruno Guimaraes header that flew through a crowd of players and squirmed beyond Kepa but the Magpies were disappointingly second best on another agonising afternoon for Howe against his former club.
Things went from bad to worse in the second period, as Newcastle failed to recover any composure and star man Alexander Isak looked as isolated as he has all season - his eight-game scoring run reaching an abrupt end.
Kluivert sealed a wonderful hat-trick in second-half stoppage time - his second of the season after a trio of penalties at Wolves in November - while a stunner from Milos Kerkez ensured Andoni Iraola's ever-improving Cherries cantered to a crushing victory.
Player of the match: Justin Kluivert
With three goals and an assist, Kluivert became the first player to be involved in four goals in a single Premier League game for Bournemouth.
For all the pre-match chatter about Isak and his devastating form, it was the Dutchman who towered above the rest, emulating his famous father Patrick's knack for ruthless finishing.
Each strike was full of poise and panache, with three of his four touches in the opposition box hitting the back of the net.
Howe accepts Newcastle off the pace
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe:
"We were beaten by the better team. Disappointed from the start really. I thought physically we didn't look anywhere near our best levels today.
"The game in midweek and the run of games we had previously just caught up with us. We didn't look like we had that bounce in our step that we normally have and we didn't perform.
"That yard of pace that we normally have in our own game wasn't there."
Iraola lauds 'unforgettable' win
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola:
"Very proud of my players. I think we played a very complete game. We started very strong. We didn't want to lose a little bit of our identity, even if we knew the difficult circumstances with the bench players.
"We decided to play like we normally do. I think every player that has played today has done his part and extra. I feel very happy for them. To be part of this win and the way we won, I think it's going to be unforgettable for us."
Analysis: When Bournemouth click, it's magical
Kluivert will rightly steal the headlines, his matching-winning contribution made all the more impressive by his all-action display. The Dutchman was happy to run the hard yards out of possession, hustling in his defensive half before coming alive when Bournemouth launched their characteristic counter-offensive.
But such a pulverising defeat - Newcastle had not lost by three goals at home since December 2021 - was only possible with synchronicity all over the field. As Andoni Iraola acknowledged post-match, Bournemouth delivered a beautifully "complete" performance. They made Newcastle look average in every department. Alexander Isak was anonymous.
Bournemouth did what very few teams have, or will, do to Eddie Howe's side at St James' Park. To have the bravery to go toe-to-toe, consistently hunting for high turnovers, with a team that have won nine in a row in all competitions is daring.
But Iraola only knows one way. His transitional style is fascinating to watch when it clicks and Saturday's display was a stellar example of everything clicking perfectly.
Story of the match in stats...
Analysis: Newcastle's pursuit of club record proves step too far
All good things must come to an end - but for Howe it just had to be his old side Bournemouth who ended their nine-game winning run in unceremonious style.
The Cherries' victory means Howe is yet to beat his former club, having now lost twice and drawn four of the six league games against them since he departed.
Howe blamed "fatigue" for the heavy defeat and it did look a step too far for his side as they aimed for a club-record 10th straight win in all competitions.
Their hugely disappointing performance saw in-form striker Isak, who had scored in his previous eight Premier League appearances, fail to register a shot from open play.
Fortunately for Howe and his team, they now have a full week to recover. Howe will also be pleased that it is rock-bottom Southampton away next, giving the Magpies the perfect chance to get back to winning ways quickly and put this thumping loss behind them.
