Kluivert emerging from dad’s shadow as Bournemouth ‘dream’ of Europe

The 1,700 Bournemouth supporters who had purchased a ticket for Saturday’s game at Newcastle may have been questioning their own judgment when they left their homes at around midnight.

The high-flying Magpies had won nine in a row in all competitions, had triumphed in each of their previous five home matches, and had one of Europe’s most in-form strikers at their disposal in Alexander Isak.

Andoni Iraola’s team had not lost in the Premier League since November, but were without a host of first-team players through injury, including Marcos Senesi, Marcus Tavernier, Luis Sinisterra, Evanilson and Enes Unal.

As it turned out, Cherries supporters needn’t have worried.

Dutchman Justin Kluivert was the hero in the magnificent 4-1 victory, scoring a hat-trick against the club for whom his Champions League-winning father, Patrick, netted 13 goals in 37 appearances during the 2004-05 campaign, but only one at St James ‘ Park.

“I heard I had more goals than him here already, so that is one win over him”, the 25-year-old told BBC Match of the Day. “I followed Newcastle when I was younger; sadly, Kluivert now plays for another team.”

The win not only extended Bournemouth’s club-record unbeaten top-flight run into double figures, it also lifted them up to sixth place – just a point behind the fourth-placed Magpies.

“We can dream big”, added Kluivert, who netted a landmark hat-trick of penalties against Wolves back in November. “We can go very far.

” A result like this just feels amazing. It’s the best feeling in the world. We have faith and belief in one another. I think that’s the spirit in our team. “

Former Liverpool and Tottenham midfielder Danny Murphy told BBC Match of the Day:” Bournemouth were wonderful, incredible. That was the best I’ve seen of that performance.

“They had nine first-team players injured, faced a team that had won nine games in a row, and engaged in brave tactical press against the league’s quickest front three.” This isn’t a one off either”.

Former West Ham, Chelsea, and Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole told TNT Sports, “Bournemouth are right up there now.” “I think they’ll be challenging for Europe.

Despite their injury troubles, Bournemouth’s tally of 37 points from 22 matches is comfortably their best return at this stage of a Premier League campaign.

Aside from the Vitality Stadium, the Cherries have been particularly impressive. They have…

This season’s struggle against Bournemouth was not caused by Newcastle, who are by no means the only supposedly larger team. The Cherries have already defeated the Magpies, Arsenal, and Manchester City this term, but they only managed to score two points against the teams that finished in the top six last year.

They also defeated both Tottenham and Manchester United, held high-flying Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, and drawn with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Tyler Adams claims the Cherries have the conviction to persevere in spite of their current position. It’s still up to them whether they can keep up their fight for Europe.

” We’re showing real confidence against them]the big teams], “said the American midfielder”. I’ve heard the Champions League music before]at RB Leipzig] – I would love to hear it again.

The early days of Iraola’s reign, which yielded only three points from his first nine league matches, now seem like a lifetime ago.

Reports that followed a 2-1 home defeat to Wolves in October 2023 suggested Iraola’s job may be on the line just five months after his arrival, but the turnaround has been spectacular.

Since the Spaniard’s first win in charge – against Burnley a week later – Bournemouth have won 82 points from 51 games, the seventh-best record of all Premier League clubs, 11 more than Manchester United and 17 more than Tottenham.

One of Bournemouth’s hallmarks under Iraola is their aggressive high press, with Newcastle defender Dan Burn admitting after Saturday’s game that the Magpies had fallen into Bournemouth’s “traps”.

Iraola’s team have won possession in the opponents ‘ third on 141 occasions, more by far than any other side in the division.

They have 193 high turnovers, which is third-best in the league, trailing only Tottenham and Arsenal, and they have had more high turnovers (44%) than any other team.

Before Saturday’s Premier League fixtures, the Cherries also ranked first for distance covered, second for number of sprints, second for direct speed – the speed of their attacks – and third for number of attempts.

“It’s controlled chaos”, Adams said of the approach under Iraola. We want to control our game so it is as chaotic as possible.

” We’re running all over the place, but you have to trust and be smart because we know we can leave ourselves vulnerable. “

Opta’s expected points model, which simulates the number of goals scored by each side based on the xG value of all shots attempted, lists Bournemouth’s expected total as 37.8 – lower only than Arsenal (40.16) and Liverpool (44.75).

After registering for St. James’ Park on Saturday, Kluivert, who injured defender James Hill, will command the headlines with his treble.

The Dutchman made his first Premier League appearance for the club five months after leaving Roma, just like his manager, and found his footing at Vitality Stadium.

He finished the previous season with nine goals in 36 appearances, but he has already improved that total this year, surpassing his previous best of 11 in 23 starts in all competitions.

Strangely, he now has two more Premier League goals than his father’s lone season in England.

” I didn’t know the stat, “Iraola said”. I played against his father – he scored against me]for Barcelona]. He was a hell of a player.

“Patrick has been his coach, so]Justin] has this advantage. For sure,]Patrick] gives very good advice”.

In November, Kluivert junior scored a hat-trick of penalties in the same match, 4-2 victory over Wolves at Molineux, making it Premier League history.

On Saturday, however, all three of his goals came from open play – including a rasping long-range drive in the second half to complete his hat-trick.

“He’s unbelievable”, said Adams, who played with Kluivert while at Leipzig. “He’s found a very good home here. I know what he can do in attack, but he has done an unbelievable job defensively.