Cherriots of Fire: Justin Kluivert’s record-equalling hat-trick keeps Bournemouth dreaming of Europe

Any fond memories Newcastle fans had over the Kluivert surname quickly vanished on Saturday, as Justin – the son of former Magpies forward Patrick – slammed in a hat-trick to halt their nine-game winning run in all competitions.  

The Cherries’ midfielder delivered a match-winning performance against the club where his father played during the 2004/05 season and in turn helped extend Bournemouth’s unbeaten run to 10 Premier League games – edging closer to realising their dream of European football in the process.

Kluivert’s trio of goals during Saturday’s early kick-off at St. James’ Park equalled a Premier League record, as he became only the seventh player to score more than one hat-trick away from home in a single Premier League season – following in the footsteps of Ian Wright (1993/94), Robbie Fowler (2001/02), Michael Owen (2002/03), Luis Suarez (2013/14), Harry Kane (2016/17), and Raheem Sterling (2019/20). His previous treble came in a 4-2 win away at Wolves at the end of November, where he notched all three goals from the penalty spot. 

Saturday’s win takes Bournemouth up to seventh in the top-flight table on 37 points and just a point behind fourth-placed Manchester City after 22 games. It is by far and away the best opening half to a Premier League season the Cherries have ever made, with their next-best record at this stage of proceedings coming in 2018-19 and 2023-24, where they achieved 27 points after the same number of games.

Most impressively, this weekend’s win over an in-form Newcastle side who boast the most dangerous striker in the division – if not the world – right now in Alexander Isak came in the midst of a mini injury crisis for manager Andoni Iraola. The Spaniard was without nine regular first-teamers due to injury, including Marcos Senesi, Marcus Tavernier, Luis Sinisterra, Evanilson and Enes Unal. 

Bournemouth’s bench had a total of just 33 combined Premier League appearances, with six of the nine substitutes yet to play in the top flight, while Newcastle’s substitutes boasted a combined 979 appearances, further highlighting the positive character of this young but extremely resilient squad. 

Not only had Newcastle been in scintillating overall form before Saturday’s visit, but it is extremely rare that the Magpies fall down on home soil. Prior to this weekend’s clash, Eddie Howe’s men had lost just one game in all competitions since late-October at St. James’ Park and were unbeaten in their last six. That run of games included a draw with rampant league-leaders Liverpool and victories over both Brentford and Aston Villa. Saturday’s result was also the first time Newcastle had conceded four goals at home in almost a year – the last occurrence of such a result happening on February 3rd 2024 when they drew 4-4 with Luton Town. 

Kluivert had more than one reason to be smiling on Saturday evening, too. Not only did he depart Tyneside as the hat-trick hero with the match ball firmly in his grasp, but he can also claim the bragging rights over his legendary father for scoring more goals at St. James’ Park than he did during his illustrious career, despite the fact it was his home ground during his time in England. The Dutch footballing icon managed 13 goals in 37 appearances during his one-season stint at the club back in 2004-05, but only one of those was scored at St James’ Park. 

“I heard I had more goals than him here already, so that is one win over him,” Kluivert told BBC Sport after the game. “I followed Newcastle when I was younger – unfortunately for them, Kluivert now plays for another team.”

With 10 league goals to his name, the 25-year-old has broken into the top 10 of the Premier League scorers chart, scoring the same number of goals as Matheus Cunha (Wolves) and Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), eight behind pace-setter Mo Salah, and while it might be a stretch for him to catch the Egyptian in that particular race, there is no limit to Bournemouth’s potential in the top-four steeplechase.