Recap

Newcastle United and Bournemouth Share Spoils in Tense 1-2

AFC Bournemouth boosted their European qualification hopes as Adrien Truffert’s late goal sealed a dramatic 2-1 victory over Newcastle United.

The left-back’s first goal for the Cherries lifted them up the Premier League table, in their first game since it was announced that head coach Andoni Iraola will leave the club at the end of the season.

Former Newcastle trainee Marcus Tavernier opened the scoring after 32 minutes, but the in-form William Osula equalised for the Magpies midway through the second half.

However, Truffert prodded home the winning goal five minutes from time, condemning Eddie Howe’s side to an eighth defeat in 11 league matches.

Bournemouth, who are now on a 13-match unbeaten run, climb to eighth place, level on points with sixth-placed Chelsea, who play Manchester United later on Saturday, while the hosts stay 14th, six points off the top six.

How the match unfolded

Bournemouth struck first just after the half-hour mark when Rayan burst away from Lewis Hall before crossing for Tavernier to bundle home from close range.

The Cherries should have then doubled their lead eight minutes later, but a sliding Evanilson could not apply the contact needed to direct Alex Scott’s cross into the net.

Djordje Petrovic came to Scott’s rescue at the other end, pushing the ball off the line after the midfielder dangerously diverted Hall’s free-kick towards his own goal just before the break.

Newcastle introduced Bruno Guimaraes just after the hour mark, and as the returning skipper – playing for the first time since February – was challenged in the 68th minute, Evanilson unwittingly set up Osula for a strong run and finish, which was eventually awarded following a VAR review after the offside flag initially denied him.

But it was Bournemouth who had the last laugh in the 85th minute. Evanilson cushioned Tavernier’s cross for Truffert to poke into the roof of the net, and the visitors held on despite the hosts going close to grabbing a late equaliser through Guimaraes and Dan Burn.