Newcastle1 - 4Bournemouth

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 kick offs, leaving them just one point behind Eddie Howe's side in fourth position.

SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT

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)

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.

Kluivert goal vs. Newcastle (44th min, Newcastle 1-2 Bournemouth)

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)

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 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

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 striker to 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 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

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.

Written by

Ben Sully