Justin Kluivert delivered a mesmerizing performance at St James’ Park, netting a hat-trick and eclipsing his legendary father Patrick’s goal tally at the venue threefold. The young Dutchman’s heroics propelled Bournemouth to a resounding victory over a stunned Newcastle side, halting the Magpies’ pursuit of a club-record tenth consecutive win. Pre-match discussions had centered on Newcastle’s impressive form and Alexander Isak’s eight-game scoring streak, but it was Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth who stole the show, extending their own unbeaten run to eleven matches. Kluivert’s treble not only doubled his father’s Premier League goal count at St James’ Park but also brought Bournemouth within a single point of Newcastle in the league standings. For Eddie Howe, the match was a frustrating encounter against his former club, as Bournemouth dashed Newcastle’s hopes and left Howe still searching for his first league victory against his old team.
Bournemouth started the match with an aggressive, high-tempo approach, immediately pinning Newcastle back in their own half. Within the first ten minutes, they had created several promising opportunities, including a close-range miss by Antoine Semenyo. However, it was Kluivert who broke the deadlock in the sixth minute, curling a beautiful strike into the far corner after receiving a pass from Semenyo. The goal marked the first time a Kluivert had scored in the Premier League at St James’ Park in over two decades. Newcastle, appearing shell-shocked by Bournemouth’s early intensity, struggled to gain a foothold in the game. Despite conceding early, a familiar scenario that had not yielded a win for them in previous matches, Newcastle began to see more of the ball, spurred on by their home crowd.
Despite Newcastle’s increased possession, Bournemouth remained dangerous on the counter-attack, exploiting space down the flanks, particularly targeting Lewis Hall and Dan Burn. Midway through the first half, against the run of play, Newcastle equalized through Bruno Guimaraes, who headed home from an Anthony Gordon corner, capitalizing on some lax marking from the Bournemouth defense. The goal energized the home crowd and momentarily shifted the momentum. However, Bournemouth’s attacking threat persisted and, in a dramatic final few seconds of the half, they regained the lead. Guimaraes was dispossessed in midfield, allowing Dango Ouattara to drive forward and set up Kluivert for his second goal, a low drive past Martin Dubravka. The half ended with Bournemouth firmly in control, leaving Newcastle with much to ponder during the break.
Eddie Howe made a defensive substitution at halftime, replacing Sven Botman with Fabian Schar. However, Newcastle continued to struggle to create clear-cut chances, while Bournemouth remained a constant threat. Controversy arose when Ouattara appeared to score for Bournemouth, but the goal was disallowed by VAR after it was determined the ball had gone out of play in the build-up. Bournemouth continued to press, with Dubravka making several crucial saves to keep Newcastle in the game. As the match entered the final stages, Newcastle’s frustration grew, epitomized by Isak’s free-kick that sailed harmlessly into the wall.
The day ultimately belonged to Kluivert and Bournemouth. The Dutch forward completed his hat-trick with a stunning 25-yard curler, a fitting culmination of his outstanding performance. To add insult to injury for Newcastle, Milos Kerkez added a fourth goal for Bournemouth, taking advantage of lax defending from Kieran Trippier. The final whistle confirmed a comprehensive victory for Bournemouth, leaving Newcastle to reflect on a disappointing performance and a missed opportunity to extend their winning streak. Kluivert’s hat-trick, a testament to his talent and composure, was undoubtedly the highlight of the match.
The match served as a stark reminder that even in the face of an in-form opponent, tactical discipline, aggressive pressing, and clinical finishing can be decisive. Bournemouth’s victory was a product of their well-executed game plan and the individual brilliance of Justin Kluivert. For Newcastle, the defeat was a setback in their pursuit of a top-four finish, highlighting areas needing improvement, particularly in defense and their ability to break down a well-organized opponent. The contrast in performances emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and intensity throughout the match, a lesson Newcastle will undoubtedly look to apply in their upcoming fixtures.
