Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer gave his honest verdict on the Magpies’ 4-1 defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday.
It is most definitely a game to forget for Eddie Howe when it really should have been one to remember for a long time. Newcastle missed the chance to win their 10th straight game in all competitions and set a new club record.
Newcastle’s defeat to Bournemouth also means the Magpies failed to close the gap to Nottingham Forest in third place. It was a huge opportunity to solidify their position in the top four but ultimately one they didn’t take.
Many players looked lethargic at times. Joelinton picked up his eighth Premier League booking of the season. He’s not just two bookings away from a two-game suspension. Anthony Gordon’s demands to his Newcastle teammates were also in vain. The winger played all 90 minutes but failed to make an impact on proceedings.
Just when some thought Newcastle may be outsiders to win the league this season, it has all come crashing down.
Alan Shearer credits “superb” Bournemouth after Newcastle win
Newcastle looked simply second best to everything today. It just looked as if Bournemouth wanted it much more at times. Defensively they struggled, Sven Botman was taken off at half time after failing to contain Justin Kluivert who would go on to score a hat-trick.
Going forward, the Magpies only managed five shots on target from 13 attempts in comparison to Bournemouth’s 10 from 19. It could’ve been even worse had it not been for Martin Dubravka’s six saves.
It was a poor performance from a Newcastle side who have been on fire recently. Alan Shearer recognised that.
At full-time, Shearer wrote on X: “Bournemouth did a job on Newcastle. They deserved to win and were brilliant. Tactically superb.”
Newcastle must pick up the pieces after Bournemouth loss
A defeat like that at St James’ Park is a huge blow to Newcastle’s confidence. The Magpies could now drop down to as low as sixth if Chelsea and Manchester City pick up wins.
Eddie Howe’s winless run against Bournemouth also continues. The Toon boss has now gone six Premier League games without beating his former club. Fans will have hoped that they could have taken confidence in the Carabao Cup victory against the Cherries in 2022, but in the end there was nothing they could do against Andoni Iraola’s side.
Now they must brush themselves off and get back to it against Southampton in the next game.
The Saints sit at rock bottom of the Premier League. Newcastle could not have asked for a better game to bounce back from a heavy defeat.
There’s hope that the defeat won’t play too heavy on the minds of the Newcastle players. The Magpies will soon be playing an important Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Arsenal.
Newcastle have the advantage going into that game, but a run of bad results could see it quickly slip away when it comes around.
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