Newcastle’s hopes of European qualification took another hit with a late 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth, who themselves extend their Premier League unbeaten run to 13 games.
It felt like a fixture the Magpies needed to win after successive defeats to Sunderland and Crystal Palace, but instead slipped further away from the European picture with their ability to see out a game once again called into question.
For their part, Andoni Iraola’s in-form side showed few ill-effects after the Cherries boss announced this week he would leave the club at the end of the season.
They had the better of the first half as a lacklustre Newcastle struggled to deal with their press. Bournemouth made it count too and went ahead just after the half-hour as Marcus Tavernier tapped in Rayan’s pass.
The Cherries could have been 2-0 up soon after with a copycat move, but Evanilson could not turn home Alex Scott’s delivery. The England midfielder almost put the ball into his own net at the other end, but Djordje Petrovic was there to make a superb stop late in the half.
Lewis Hall was replaced by Kieran Trippier at the break in what was assumed to be an injury substitution, but there was more positive news in the 62nd minute when captain Bruno Guimaraes made his return after two months out to great ovation.
His influence was soon felt as Newcastle equalised. It was initially thought his pass had found Will Osula, who held off his defender well before slotting home.
William Osula celebrates after a VAR review confirms his equaliser against Bournemouth
As he celebrated, the offside flag was already up, ruling it out. However, when VAR checked the goal, it was actually Evanilson who got the final touch ahead of Guimaraes, meaning Osula was onside and therefore, the equaliser was given.
But there was another injury concern when Tino Livramento appeared to limp off with a groin injury. “It could be his season over,” Tim Sherwood said on Soccer Saturday, also given England an worry for the World Cup.
Marcus Tavernier bundles home Rayan’s cross to give Bournemouth the lead at Newcastle
Newcastle’s afternoon got worse when Truffert gave Bournemouth the lead again in the 85th minute. He started the move himself too, picking out Tavernier down the left. His cross in was well-met by Evanilson – who was inbetween two defenders – before Truffert came storming in to poke the loose ball past Aaron Ramsdale.
It is the third Premier League game in a row in which Newcastle have conceded match-losing goals after the 80th minute as their struggle to hold on to points continues.
William Osula equalises for Newcastle against Bournemouth
As nine minutes of injury time were shown, Guimaraes did draw another fine save from Petrovic, before Burn blazed a header over as Newcastle were beaten yet again.
They remain in 14th place on 42 points, six away from Bournemouth in eighth, who are level with Brentford and Chelsea on 48 points as their own dreams of a European adventure are given another boost.
More to follow…