Justin Kluivert’s stunning hat-trick snapped Newcastle’s winning streak in style as Bournemouth stormed into the Premier League’s top six with a 4-1 win at St. James ‘ Park on Saturday.
The Cherries, who are currently on an 11-game unbeaten streak, completely overmatched the Magpies, who were hoping to set a club record with a 10th consecutive victory in all competitions.
Before Milos Kerkez scored a fourth in stoppage time, Kluivert, the son of former Newcastle striker Patrick Kluivert, was the star of the show.
Newcastle is now only one point clear of Bournemouth in the race for a spot in the Champions League after defeat, which places them fourth.
On a humbling afternoon for the Magpies, Alexander Isak’s hopes of breaking the Premier League record for scoring also came to an end.
The Swedish striker had eight straight games to play, but a brilliant Bournemouth performance hardly gave him a second chance.
The reigning champions Manchester City were never let down by Andoni Iraola’s men as they flew out of the traps.
When Martin Dubravka saved Dango Ouattara’s shot, and Antoine Semenyo blasted the rebound over, the visitors had already a four-minute lead.
When Semenyo’s cut-back was swept into the far corner by Kluivert, Bournemouth needed just two more minutes to take the lead.
In the beginning, Newcastle were shellshocked, but Bruno Guimaraes headed in Lewis Hall’s direction with the impression that some order had been restored.
Despite Kluivert’s stunning finish, Ouattara’s pass was turned in at half-time, leaving the home side with a second more to go.
Before the final whistle, Bournemouth should have been far away before they did so in stoppage time.
A VAR review of Ouattara’s goal disallowed the ball after it went out of play before the Burkinabe international headed home.
Dubravka’s and the post later denied David Brooks’ inventive backheel.
Reece James’ stoppage-time free-kick saved a point for Chelsea in a 2-2 draw in midweek, but Bournemouth were denied a famous victory.
This time, though, they were not to be denied of three thoroughly deserved points.
Kluivert added a second hat-trick to his 2017 campaign with a strike from the outside the box.
After his trio of penalties downed Wolves in November, all three of these efforts were made in open play.
The impressive Kerkez, who has been linked with moves to Manchester United and Liverpool, then drilled salt into Newcastle injuries in the fourth quarter.
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