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Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe calls for instant inquest as Magpies blitzed by Bournemouth

-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


History was waiting to be made by Newcastle United as they chased a club record of 10 wins in a row in all competitions.

But AFC Bournemouth clearly hadn't read the script at St James' Park, and Newcastle have left themselves open to all types of criticism after a heavy home defeat that could have been worse. Son of former Toon striker Justin Kluivert netted a hat-trick as the Magpies came crashing down to earth.

Where did this defeat come from? Was it complacency? Cockiness? Or was the loss in the post after everything that could have gone right of late did go right? Either way it should serve as a real warning for Eddie Howe's side. Not least with a semi-final second leg against Arsenal to come in the Carabao Cup. This will give the Gunners - 2-0 down - food for thought. Because there are gaps to expose in the Newcastle defence.

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That is something Howe and Jason Tindall must address quickly in training this week. Defensively, Newcastle were poor but at the other end they created very little for Alexander Isak either.

It was the visitors who had the first chance of the afternoon with just four minutes played. David Brooks sent in a cross which was struck at goal by Dango Ouattara with Martin Dubravka making a huge save before Antoine Semenyo blazed over.

But if that was an early warning for the Magpies they didn't heed it. This time Semenyo broke down the left, and his reverse path picked out Justin Kluivert, who swept home the opener.

It was a poor one from Newcastle's point of view with Tino Livramento left trailing in Semenyo's wake and Kluivert left free in the box to apply the finish under no pressure. Bournemouth owned the first 20 minutes in truth, and it took Newcastle until the 21st minute to register a shot at goal - unfortunately, it was clobbered into the Leazes End by Joelinton.

However, the equaliser wasn't far away and after the Magpies earned a corner on the right Lewis Hall's swirling set-play was met by Bruno who got away from his marker then rose over Ryan Christie to send it spinning past Kepa and into the bottom corner. The Brazil star sprinted over to Hall to thank him after a training ground move paid dividends and hauled Newcastle back into it. The equaliser settled United down and they started to rediscover their rhythm.

On 39 minutes, Anthony Gordon cut inside and forced a corner with a shot that sailed wide. Yet just when Newcastle thought they were wrestling the game back a little, they were hit by a sucker punch. Newcastle slipped behind again just before half-time after Burn played Bruno into trouble and the midfielder lost the ball. Christie pinched his pocket before Ouattara slipped in Kluivert again and despite the attentions of Hall, he slotted home his second.

Joelinton picked up a yellow card in the clash against Bournemouth and had to be pulled away from trouble at half-time by Jason Tindall. The assistant coach intervened as Bournemouth stars made a beeline for Joeilinton shortly after he'd been booked for kicking Kluivert from behind.

And this led to things boiling over with Joelinton taking the law into his own hands and swiping Kluivert's legs from behind. Joelinton turned to foul means after Anthony Gordon had been chopped down by Tyler Adams.

The American was later booked along with Joelinton while Kluivert also picked up a yellow card for his trouble. Referee did restore order after the likes of Bruno, Alexander Isak and Dan Burn moved in to calm things down.

As the half-time whistle sounded a furious Joelinton turned the air blue and Tindall made his way over to escort the star down the tunnel for half-time. Newcastle made changes at half-time with Sven Botman taken off and replaced by Fabian Schar.

The South American enforcer has now picked up nine yellow cards and was fortunate not to be sent off in the reverse fixture in August. Back then Joelinton was accused of a WWE move on Neto but avoided a red card on the South Coast. The £40million man emerged for the second half but was skating on thin ice with ref Attwell urging the players for calm as they went off after the first half.

Newcastle introduced Fabian Schar at half-time for Botman after a poor half from the Dutchman. Or was it just one game too many for the centre-back after just returning from a knee injury?

But the rejig did not improve matters defensively and the Cherries thought they'd made it 3-1 when Ouattara poked home. Although, Newcastle were reprieved as replays showed the ball had gone out of play as VAR made the correct call.

Not satisfied with his team's response, Howe threw on Kieran Trippier and Joe Willock with Hall and Murphy taken off. Newcastle saw Gordon see a shot blocked late on and with two minutes to go the Magpies won a presentable set-piece. But on a day in which Isak had not managed to manage a shot on target his set-piece smashed into the wall. Bournemouth rubbed salt into the wounds when Kluivert completed his hat-trick.

A stray pass from Gordon fell for Adams who flicked it to Kluivert who sent a scorching shot past Dubravka who was left rooted to the spot. The 25-yard effort left St James' fans stunned and was the cue for many to leave their seats for an early pint. In the 96th minute, Milos Kerkez was afforded the freedom of the Leazes End as he skipped through, breezed past Trippier, and fired into the bottom corner to make it 4-1.

This was no fluke though, far from it, Bournemouth could have won this one by many more. It leaves Newcastle facing an immediate defensive inquest.

Referee: Stuart Attwell

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