Justin Kluivert netted a hat-trick to inspire injury-hit Bournemouth to a 4-1 victory over Newcastle United at St James' Park.
Despite being left with a threadbare squad, Andoni Iraola's side required just six minutes to break the deadlock courtesy of Kluivert's first-time finish.
Bruno Guimaraes levelled the scoring with a header which proved to be Newcastle's only goal of an underwhelming contest for the home faithful.
Kluivert proved to be the architect of Newcastle's downfall, finding the net again before the break to score more goals at St James' Park in one half than his father, Patrick Kluivert, managed during his stint with the Magpies in 2004-05.
The Dutchman capped off his match-winning performance with a thunderous long-range effort, giving him plenty of bragging rights in the family group chat.
Milos Kerkez then joined Kluivert on the scoresheet to wrap up a statement win, condemning Newcastle to their first defeat since December 7 and extending Bournemouth's unbeaten run to 11 competitive matches.
The in-form Cherries move into sixth place ahead of the 3pm kickoffs, leaving them just one point behind Eddie Howe's side in fourth position.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
Bournemouth will take significant confidence from this performance, given the circumstances surrounding their victory.
The Cherries are currently dealing with an injury crisis, meaning they had to name a bench featuring two goalkeepers, one recalled striker and a number of academy players.
Nevertheless, the Cherries dealt with that adversity to sweep past a Newcastle side that had won each of their previous nine competitive matches, demonstrating that they are real contenders for Champions League qualification.
Newcastle will be reeling from the size of the scoreline rather than the defeat itself, but they are still in a strong position in the league table and need to make sure that this loss does not have an adverse effect on their upcoming fixtures.
NEWCASTLE VS. BOURNEMOUTH HIGHLIGHTS
Kluivert goal vs. Newcastle (6th min, Newcastle 0-1 Bournemouth)
Justin Kluivert brilliantly opens the scoring early for Bournemouth 🤩
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 18, 2025
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/pNguppqkHO
Bournemouth find the early breakthrough. Antoine Semenyo makes the run in behind to latch on Ryan Christie's pass, before cutting the ball back into the path of Kluivert. The Dutchman drills a first-time strike into the bottom corner to stun St James' Park.
Guimaraes goal vs. Bournemouth (24th min, Newcastle 1-1 Bournemouth)
Guimaraes pulls the Magpies level. The midfielder is left free to meet Lewis Hall's corner, powering his header towards goal which ultimately proves too strong for Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Justin Kluivert has already scored more goals this season (9) than he did in the entire 2023/24 Premier League season (7).
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 18, 2025
A key figure for Bournemouth. 💪 pic.twitter.com/ubi7k8AFam
Kluivert goal vs. Newcastle (44th min, Newcastle 1-2 Bournemouth)
Justin Kluivert gets his second of the game 💫
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 18, 2025
Bournemouth lead right before half-time 🔥
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/47eFpGdV19
Kluivert at the double! The Bournemouth press pays dividends as Dango Ouattara wins the ball high up the pitch before laying it out to Kluivert. The Netherlands international strokes his right-foot shot past Martin Dubravka's despairing dive to score his ninth Premier League goal of the season.
Outtara disallowed goal vs. Newcastle (61st min, Newcastle 1-2 Bournemouth)
Ouattara looks to have given Bournemouth a two-goal lead. However, the goal is chalked off after a VAR review confirms the ball went out of play for a corner in the lead-up to the goal.
Kluivert goal vs. Newcastle (92nd min, Newcastle 1-3 Bournemouth)
What a way to bag the hat-trick 🤩
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 18, 2025
Justin Kluivert tops off an exceptional performance in style 💫
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/r1vKLOICse
Kluivert produces a stunning effort to wrap up his second hat-trick of the season. The attacker picks up the ball around 25 yards out before thundering a stunning strike past the unmoved Dubravka.
Kerkez goal vs. Newcastle (96th min, Newcastle 1-4 Bournemouth)
Bournemouth make it 4-1 🔥
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 18, 2025
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/Bo7x1Zkwq4
Bournemouth are in dreamland. Kerkez carries the ball into the box, shifts it onto his left foot and drills it into the far corner to make it four, giving Bournemouth supporters a memorable win to celebrate on their long journey back to the South coast.
MAN OF THE MATCH - JUSTIN KLUIVERT
© Imago
The Dutchman has scored the majority of his league goals from the penalty spot this season, but he proved in this clash that he is as dangerous from open play as he is from 12 yards.
Kluivert produced composed finishes with his left and right foot to make a massive impact in the first half of the contest.
The 25-year-old then saved his best strike for last with his hat-trick goal proving to be unstoppable, and it was the perfect end to his sensational performance at St James' Park.
It was his second Premier League hat-trick, but this one certainly tops the three penalties that he scored in a 4-2 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers in November.
NEWCASTLE VS. BOURNEMOUTH MATCH STATS
Possession: Newcastle 55%-44% Bournemouth
Shots: Newcastle 13-19 Bournemouth
Shots on target: Newcastle 5-10 Bournemouth
Corners: Newcastle 7-6 Bournemouth
Fouls: Newcastle 7-18 Bournemouth
BEST STATS
Justin Kluivert has scored more Premier League goals today at St. James' Park (2) than his dad, Patrick, managed during his time at Newcastle (1).
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 18, 2025
Their goals were over 20 years apart 🤩 pic.twitter.com/OQGfakIkGL
8 - Only Mohamed Salah (11) has scored more Premier League goals away from home this season than Bournemouth's Justin Kluivert (8). Travels. pic.twitter.com/4utMeVfa2A
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 18, 2025
7 – Premier League players to score two hat-tricks away from home in a season:
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 18, 2025
Ian Wright – 1993/94
Robbie Fowler – 2001/02
Michael Owen – 2002/03
Luis Suárez – 2012/13
Harry Kane – 2016/17
Raheem Sterling – 2019/20
Justin Kluivert – 2024/25
Magnificent. pic.twitter.com/wQCOxU1qtR
WHAT NEXT?
After extending their unbeaten run, Bournemouth will look to continue their impressive form in next Saturday's home clash with high-flying Nottingham Forest.
Newcastle will have to find a way to pick themselves up for next week's trip to the South coast for a meeting with basement side Southampton.
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