An injury hit Newcastle were well beaten by Eddie Howe’s former side Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. Here’s five talking points from the game…
Newcastle’s injury problems get even worse
Embed from Getty ImagesEddie Howe was already having to deal with something of an injury crisis heading into the game against his former club Bournemouth, with no recognised striker in the team due to injuries to Callum Wilson and Aleksandar Isak, while several other of his star players are also unavailable – including Harvey Barnes, Jacob Murphy, Sven Botman, Dan Burn and Sandro Tonali.
And the Newcastle boss was dealt another blow in the first half when another of his forward talents, Miguel Almiron, went down with what looked like a hamstring injury and was forced off. The injury crisis continues to grow for Howe, who is having to contend with midweek and weekend games with a seriously slim squad.
Kluivert and Semenyo settling into the Premier League
Embed from Getty ImagesBoth relatively new arrivals to the Premier League, the attacking duo of Antoine Semenyo and Justin Kluivert really look to be settling into the top flight and this Bournemouth side. Both caused Newcastle plenty of problems with their direct running and pace, particularly in the first half, and forced Nick Pope into some good stops. It was a good attacking performance from Bournemouth with Dominic Solanke also impressing leading the line and will offer Andoni Iraola plenty of encouragement that his team can drag themselves away from the relegation spots.
Lewis Hall dragged off at half-time again
Embed from Getty ImagesEyebrows were raised when Chelsea allowed youngster Lewis Hall to leave the club for Premier League rivals Newcastle in the summer given he had impressed in a poor team under Frank Lampard towards the end of last season. But the full-back is not finding life easy at his new club, having been dragged off at half-time in the midweek defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League and again in the loss to Bournemouth. It’s not clear whether there was an injury issue for Hall but there didn’t look to be and he’ll no doubt be feeling disappointed that he was the one who had to again make way in what was an overall poor performance from the team.
Solanke is scoring the goals to match his performance level
Embed from Getty ImagesIt has perhaps gone under the radar slightly but Solanke has now scored seven goals in all competitions for Bournemouth this season following his double against Newcastle. The 26-year-old struggled for goals last season, scoring just six in the Premier League all season, but the job he does for his team is imperative thanks to his off the ball work and running in behind, and he is finally getting the goals to match his performance level. There is plenty of competition behind Harry Kane to get into the England squad but if Solanke carries on in this vein of form, he should at least be in the conversation.
Newcastle need Wilson or Isak back urgently
Embed from Getty ImagesWithout a recognised striker, Newcastle opted to deploy Anthony Gordon, Joelinton and then substitute Ben Parkinson as the most central attacker throughout the game but none could really do what was needed of them. Gordon put in an excellent shift and tried everything to create something for his team but it is evident that he is simply not a striker and is better out wide. Joelinton started as a striker before he reverted to a midfielder in his carrer but failed to have any sort of impact in the position, while Parkinson is only 18. Wilson went off at half-time against Dortmund during midweek with a hamstring injury while Isak has been out with a groin issue. The Magpies desperately need at least one of them back after the upcoming international break if they are to get their Champions League qualification hopes back on track.
