Newcastle United’s winning streak came crashing to an end on Saturday when they were handily beaten 4-1 by Bournemouth in a war of a match in the Premier League.
Bournemouth immediately took the game to a complacent and rattled Newcastle United from the first whistle and didn’t let up until they got a deserved opener after six minutes through Justin Kluivert.
The feisty game was played at a ferocious pace and Eddie Howe’s side finally woke up after being caught cold to level through Bruno Guimaraes’ header.
Yet, the Cherries were not deterred and retook the lead before the break after the captain lost possession and Kluivert was teed up to slot in his second.
Not much changed in the second half as a relentless Bournemouth didn’t give Newcastle time to breath, let alone play, and kept Alexander Isak quiet like no one else has managed this season.
The Magpies didn’t really come close to levelling again and conceded a third in added time when Kluivert completed his hat-trick with a 25-yard stunner. Things then went from bad to embarrassing when Milos Kerkez scored a fourth.
There would have been little shame in losing to a talented side but conceding two in added time after such a listless display will sting.
Here’s how the players rated.
Martin Dubravka – 7
Made a fine save from Dango Ouattara in the opening moments to ensure Newcastle didn’t go behind even earlier but could do little about any of the goals. Repeatedly quick off his line to bail out the slow defenders in front of him and made some more fantastic saves to keep his side in it. Deserves his rating despite conceding four.
Tino Livramento – 4
Couldn’t get anywhere near the electric Antoine Semenyo in the first 10 minutes, with the winger running him ragged and setting up the opener. Bournemouth got joy down the rattled Tino Livramento’s flank but he composed himself and made one crucial recovery run to cut out a dangerous counter later in the half.
Sven Botman – 4
It was only Sven Botman’s fifth game back after 10 months on the shelf and he looked culture shocked by the speed of Bournemouth’s attacks. He was unsettled and awkward as he struggled to deal with Ouattara’s presence and found himself repeatedly outpaced.
It was no surprise when he was hooked at the break.
Dan Burn – 5.5
A sloppy performance from Dan Burn with wayward clearances and poor use of the ball. His distribution was bad three times before finally being punished as his foolish pass to the marked Guimaraes led to the second. Managed to just about keep the defence together, though, and made some great tackles and clearances.
Lewis Hall – 5
Rattled early on as David Brooks got past him in the opening minute to set Bournemouth’s attacking tone and was fortunate a loose touch didn’t lead to a quick-fire third goal.
Good going forward, with his wicked delivery setting up Guimaraes’ goal, but repeatedly caught out at the back and weak in the challenge. Taken off with 25 remaining.
Bruno Guimaraes – 6.5
Embroiled in an entertaining war with Tyler Adams and came the worst off as he was clearly targeted and saw his play stifled as a result. Fought hard and got the leveller with a powerful header, a captain’s goal, but then lost the ball that led to the Cherries’ second. Did create his side’s best change of the second half.
Sandro Tonali – 4
Crucial interception in opening stage and woke the side out of their early stupor by taking it on himself to get them up the pitch but that was all he managed in a poor game. The Italian struggled to protect the defence against an onslaught of through balls and quick attacks and was very lucky his needless, aimless clearance didn’t lead to a third much earlier.
Joelinton – 6
Incredible and captivating battling in the middle of the park. You get the impression he’d have slid in on his mother if she was wearing a Bournemouth shirt. Ensured Newcastle competed against such an energetic side with his challenging but lacked his usual quality on the ball.
Jacob Murphy – 3
Switched off and didn’t track Kluivert for the opening goal and was no where near as influential going forward as he has been recently. Provided no incision on the right flank and offered no trouble to Kerkez. Hobbled off in the 65th minute.
Alexander Isak – 2
Not given a sniff in front of goal or even in picking it up from deep. His most ineffective game in quite some time. Might as well have not been on the pitch.
Anthony Gordon – 4
Displayed some nice interplay, especially in launching counters, but snuffed out near the box and made some uncharacteristically poor decisions in attacking areas.
Substitutes
Fabian Schar – 4
Brought on at half-time and got off to a terrible start with a pass straight to Brooks but then made an important block shortly after. Did little else to settle the back line as his introduction was intended.
Joe Willock – 3
Did nothing in 25 minutes on the pitch.
Kieran Trippier – 5
Had to make an important clearance with his first touch but didn’t get near Kerkez as he leisured forward and scored.
Will Osula – N/A
Only came on in added time.
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