Bournemouth overwhelmed weary and absence-riddled Newcastle United with a 2-0 win at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday.
Dominic Solanke scored twice for the Cherries as they climb three points clear of the bottom three with nine points on the season.
[ MORE: Premier League on Peacock ]
The Magpies lost to Dortmund at midweek in the Champions League but more importantly lost more players to injury. Unavailable for this game via injury or suspension? Eleven players, at least five of which are bonafide stars for Eddie Howe.
Eddie Howe started 17-year-old Lewis Miley, then saw Miguel Almiron join the lengthy list of absences before introducing 18-year-old Ben Parkinson.
Newcastle will head to the international break no higher than seventh on the table, their 20 points now four off fourth.
Bournemouth feasts on cherry of an opportunity
Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali. Callum Wilson, Alexander Isak, Harvey Barnes, Elliot Anderson, Sven Botman, Matt Targett, Javi Manquillo, Dan Burn, and Jacob Murphy.
Those 11 players are a huge miss when the team’s rested, but Newcastle entered this match having faces Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund inside of eight days.
It was an incredible chance for Bournemouth to take three points that few of their rivals will this season, and Andoni Iraola’s men followed the blood in the water to a true meal.
It’s difficult to find a passenger on Bournemouth’s list of participants, and the Cherries will be relieved to head into the break with their heads above that dreaded line.
As they weather months without Alex Scott and Tyler Adams, three points like these are gifts that must be taken before the holiday season.
For Newcastle, Eddie Howe tried to talk up his team’s young prospects and depth before the match but the proof was in the pudding.
This was always going to be a slog, absent his two most regular finishers in Wilson and Isak. It never looked like anything but hit and hope from the visitors.
What’s next?
The international break. The Cherries then return with a huge one — Saturday, November 25 at 10am ET away to Sheffield United.
Newcastle badly needs health ahead of a visit from Chelsea at the same date and time, followed by a must-have match at PSG in the UEFA Champions League.
Bournemouth vs Newcastle final score: 2-0
Goal: Solanke (60', 73')
Bournemouth vs Newcastle player ratings
Bournemouth vs Newcastle player ratings (fotmob.com)
Bournemouth vs Newcastle player ratings (fotmob.com)
Dominic Solanke strikes twice
Come the hour mark, come the Cherries’ leading scorer.
Involved in the build-up, Dominic Solanke keeps churning his legs and is sent toward the back post with a ball along the ground.
It’s hopeful but it’s hard hit, and Nick Pope will have wanted do better with it. Bournemouth lead 1-0!
It’s the same man making it 2-0 off an unholy scrum in the box.
A Bournemouth corner is whipped in and headed onto Pope’s near post. The ex-Burnley man is arms akimbo as Solanke snaps the loose ball out of the air and home from very close range.
Bournemouth vs Newcastle halftime analysis: 0-0
This has not been fun for Newcastle, and their absences are screaming into the break.
Antoine Semenyo has been a live wire and is one of several Bournemouth players who will believe they deserve rewards for their attacking impetus.
Possession is 50:50, but the Cherries have taken seven of the game’s 10 shots and lead in xG by a 0.40-0.08.
Miguel Almiron’s left injured and Fabian Schar might’ve come off another day if the Magpies’ injury list wasn’t so deep. Already missing? Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali. Callum Wilson, Alexander Isak, Harvey Barnes, Elliot Anderson, Sven Botman, Matt Targett, Javi Manquillo, Dan Burn, and Jacob Murphy.
Lewis Miley, 17, has bee good in the middle of the park for Newcastle passing the ball well, dealing adequately with the physical challenge of grown men, and making nine recoveries.
But Bournemouth has to take this chance.
How to watch Bournemouth vs Newcastle live, stream link and start time
Kickoff: 12:30pm ET Saturday
TV Channel: NBC
Stream: Watch live on NBC.com or stream Premier League on Peacock
Bournemouth lineup
Our team for #BOUNEW 💪 pic.twitter.com/6nPAqmUgrW
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) November 11, 2023
Newcastle lineup
HOWAY NEWCASTLE! ✊#BOUNEW // #NUFC pic.twitter.com/mCDRZQgFT2
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) November 11, 2023
Focus on Bournemouth
OUT: Tyler Adams (hamstring - out until February), Ryan Fredericks (calf), Emiliano Marcondes (ankle), Darren Randolph (illness), Alex Scott (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Neto (ankle)
Focus on Newcastle
OUT: Bruno Guimaraes (suspension), Harvey Barnes (foot), Sandro Tonali (suspension), Sven Botman (knee), Dan Burn (back), Matt Targett (thigh), Jacob Murphy (shoulder), Elliot Anderson (back), Javi Manquillo (groin) | QUESTIONABLE: Alexander Isak (groin), Callum Wilson (thigh)
