November 11, (THEWILL) – Eddie Howe’s emotional return to Bournemouth, turned sour as his injury-ravaged Newcastle side fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of the Cherries. Dominic Solanke struck twice in the second half to condemn Howe’s Magpies to their first loss in eight English Premier League games and deepen the club’s injury crisis.
Newcastle were already without 11 players heading into the match due to injury and suspension. The loss of Miguel Almiron to a suspected hamstring problem in the first half further depleted Howe’s resources. The Magpies were forced to hand 17-year-old Lewis Miley his EPL debut in midfield and ended the match with 18-year-old Ben Parkinson leading the line on his own.
Despite Newcastle’s makeshift XI, Bournemouth had to wait until the hour mark before finally making the breakthrough. Solanke pounced on a mix-up in the Newcastle defence to slot home the opener. The former Liverpool striker then doubled the Cherries’ lead shortly after, turning home the rebound after Luis Sinisterra’s header struck the post.
The defeat brings an end to Newcastle’s seven-match unbeaten run in the league. With Callum Wilson already sidelined, the further injuries picked up will be a concern for Howe as his squad is left stretched ahead of the World Cup break. Bournemouth, meanwhile, claimed just their second win of the season to lift themselves out of the relegation zone.
Howe enjoyed tremendous success during his eight-year spell as Bournemouth manager. But his emotional return to the Vitality Stadium proved to be one to forget as the injury-hit Magpies came unstuck against rejuvenated opposition.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
