Kluivert’s scoring prowess continues as Bournemouth beat Newcastle
Photo by Scott Heppell/Reuters
Justin Kluivert’s hat trick pushes Bournmouth’s Premier League unbeaten streak to ten as the Cherries defeated Newcastle 4-1 at St. James’s Park. It begs the question as to whether Kluivert could be the answer for the striker position moving forward.
With injuries to main strikers Evanilson and Enes Ünal in the past two weeks, there is a worry amongst Bournemouth as to who would take their place at the front of the field. Evanilson fractured his metatarsal during January 4th’s win against Everton and Ünal tore his ACL in practice four days later.
“My job is to continue trying to get the maximum from the players we have available,” said Andoni Iraola at a January 10th press conference. “I think everyone is trying to give everything they have in the minutes they are receiving. We are having very good answers from players that probably haven’t been having the minutes they deserve before.”
Dango Ouattara has been upfront in the past games and this one, scoring twice in their FA Cup win over West Brom, but Kluivert could be another option for a striker. He’s scored ten goals in the Premier League this season, including six penalties and a penalty hat trick against Wolves. He’s played as a winger for the past two games, but today, Iraola moved him behind Ouattara as an attacking midfielder.
The move paid off as Kluivert produced three masterclass goals to help secure the win against Newcastle.
“I just want to help my team out to win games and to be important for the club,” said Kluivert after the game.”That’s what I said I want to be.”
“I think obviously when you score three goals and also very beautiful goals everyone will talk about you,” said Iraola after the game. “But I think we had the matchup, including Justin because I think his defensive job has been key for us.”
Iraola also mentioned in a press conference yesterday that everyone has contributed to the goals and that Bournemouth doesn’t depend on one person scoring the goals. He doesn’t care who is scoring the goals. Kluivert’s defensive prowess and Iraola’s lack of need for a number nine are reasons against him starting as a striker, especially with Ouattara available.
Ouattara’s performance, as of late, has been respectable, with three Premier League goals this season. His last Premier League goal was against Fulham on December 29th. With Kluivert’s present touch around the goal, Iraola now has to wonder if he should switch Kluivert and put Ouattara behind.
Bournemouth have a tough road ahead of them with their next two games against Nottingham Forest and Liverpool, two teams above them in the Premier League table. If they want to have a chance at playing European football, the Cherries are going to have to see Kluivert continue his goal scoring ways.