Newcastle 2-1 Bournemouth: Sensational Salomon Rondon secures back to back wins at SJP

A superb display at St James’ Park and a performance from Salomon Rondon worthy of the NUFC number 9 shirt, with the big Venezuelan absolutely outstanding as he fired us to a well deserved 2-1 win against an in-form Bournemouth side.

We showed a brilliant mix of fight, grit and determination to beat Watford last weekend, and we showed all of that and more today – with some real moments of quality making this and even more impressive and convincing win.

It was a terrific team performance, but Rondon really was the star man. Even if he hadn’t scored twice I would’ve been coming out of the ground saying just how good he was. Two goals (one bullet header!), some outstanding hold up play, brilliant in the air and never stopped running. I always said he would suit this system better than Aleksandar Mitrovic, and today’s performances proves that. It was one of the best all round performances I’ve seen in a couple of years from a NUFC striker at St James’ Park.

With Lascelles and Shelvey out, many may have feared for us when reading the team sheets, but Schar and Ki came in and did brilliantly once again – and they weren’t the only ones who were brilliant today.

Fernandez was monstrous, Dummett didn’t put a foot wrong, Kenedy was a brilliant outlet and instrumental in Rondon’s second, Ritchie’s deliveries were much improved, Yedlin was better at both ends of the pitch and Perez put in his best performance of the season after several struggling displays.

We were all quite fearful coming into a home double-header against two sides flying in Watford and Bournemouth, but we’ve beaten both, secured rare back to back wins at St James’ Park and are now up to 14th!

Today’s results elsewhere went pretty well too. Cardiff may have won late (although the subsequent defeat for Brighton means we’re just 3 points behind them now), but both Huddersfield and Southampton lost leads at home to take just a point, with Burnley only drawing too.

The dreaded international break is now upon us, but we’ll go into the Burnley game full of confidence two weeks on Monday.

Here’s our next six fixtures between now and Christmas – with us facing a trip to Turf Moor two weeks on Monday:

  • Burnley (A)
  • West Ham (H)
  • Everton (A)
  • Wolves (H)
  • Huddersfield (A)
  • Fulham (H)

One final thought – a huge hats off to ‘Wor Flags’ for this incredible display in the Gallowgate end during today’s minutes silence:

(Fancy writing for us? Send any articles/ideas over to us at [email protected] & we’ll get back to you!)

About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

225 thoughts on “Newcastle 2-1 Bournemouth: Sensational Salomon Rondon secures back to back wins at SJP

  1. Looking at our remaining fixtures up to 1st Jan and the window opening:

    Burnley
    WHU
    Everton
    Wolves
    H’field
    Fulham
    L’pool
    Watford

    I could see another 9pts from Burnley, H’field and Fulham and a few extra points from a draw or 2 in the other fixtures.
    That could have us sat on 18-20pts.

    Does Ashley spend in Jan?. He’s gonna wanna try and keep Rafa, so that may see him folk out.
    But, might he also think that this set of players are enough to get the points to keep us in the PL – based on 20pts being halfway to the magic 40. But, not spending will likely see Rafa leave – will Ashley be fine with that as Rafa is on a big wage (in his eyes) – or has Ashley finally realised he has a top manager who could achieve something with his club – if he’d only back him.

    Hopefully we pick up those points from those games to create that dilemma

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  2. Sharpy: Rafa tends to go on good and bad runs and hopefully this is the start of something. I was worried that people were getting overconfident about an “easy” schedule but we have the 2 hardest games out of the way. Anywhere even close to 20 points by January and I will be ecstatic.

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  3. Also, I didn’t think we would stand a chance against Liverpool but then I watched the Red Star Belgrade match.

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  4. 18 attempts today having had only 39% possession and 6 on target.
    That more attempts than Bmouth had and more on target too – despite them having the greater possession.

    Rafa certainly can’t be accused of playing defensive boring football today. I wonder if that is just coincidence or is that a direct influence of Rondon up front?.

    It’s also very positive that we still managed to create 18 chances without Shelvey on the pitch today.

    Equally, our defence without Lascelles managed to limit a dangerous B’mouth side to only 4 shots on target having ha 61% of possession.

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  5. What is it now with the swear police? Chris “The Intern” Waugh writes his 5 things he learnt today and says a “week is a heck of a long time” in football. You cannot even say HELL anymore? You can’t in the US because of the bible bashing Evangelicals but it has crept into the UK now FFS.

    Think of the children!

    You can’t say **** here anymore either. It is “DARN”.

    Whatever happened to HELL and DAMNATION? That was supposed to scare everybody and lead them on a path to God. Now it is Heck and Darnation. Not quite the same!

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  6. Are we turning into nations of Ned Flanders?

    I could go on about how Murdoch and Trump take the moral high ground on this sort of thing when they are the most racist, bigoted and misogynist people on the planet, but I won’t 🙂

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  7. Firstly I think Rondons performance was possibly the best centre forward performance I’ve seen since Shearer. Let’s hope he continues. Anyone would think Rafa knows what he’s doing in the transfer market more often than not…

    Secondly, Rafa has very, very rarely set up defensively against teams outside the top 6. It’s a myth that he has.

    Great performance and great result.

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  8. Stuart79:
    Firstly I think Rondons performance was possibly the best centre forward performance I’ve seen since Shearer. Let’s hope he continues. Anyone would think Rafa knows what he’s doing in the transfer market more often than not…

    Secondly, Rafa has very, very rarely set up defensively against teams outside the top 6. It’s a myth that he has.

    Great performance and great result.

    Not true Stuart. Last 20 minutes we had 8 centre halfs on the pitch.

    But I agree. Great Result. Should have beat Man U as well but you cursed us 🙂

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  9. Really pleased for Rondon, people too quick to write him off . I said weeks ago that when fit he would be more potent than Gayle or Mitro are.
    It would of been lovely to keep Gayle as back up, but Rafa had a decision to make and in my opinion took the right one.
    Rondon could and should of had a hat trick yesterday and he will get sharper as his fitness improves .
    Excellent forward play from him and that header was Shearer -esque
    Well done lad, great display.

    Lots of excellent displays yesterday, Ki, Schar, Ferdy, Dubravka, Kenedy even Perez had a tidy game and Ritchie gave his all as always.

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  10. Would prefer no break really as on a confident run now but I suppose it means time for injuries to heal and that much closer to regaining fitness for Lejuene too.

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  11. If Rondon can stay fit and put in performances like that week in week out (not necessarily scoring, but that presence and influence) then I may be convinced.
    I don’t think Rondon was ever written off too quickly – but certainly questioned, and justifiably so. Putting his injuries aside, his PL goals record before us wasn’t great – but I don’t think anyone doubted he couldn’t be a good fit for Rafas formation and style.
    My issue has always been, by getting rid of Mitro and Gayle, we were putting all our eggs in Rondons basket and he was injured. Yes we have Muto but he was always going to need time – still does and now this injury has set him back. Joselu is just Joselu.

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  12. Eric, in the last part of any game a team is winning they go defensive and try to defend what they have. It would be pretty stupid to keep attacking and increase the chance of conceding.

    As for the Man Utd game, I agree. Although it’s still the most exciting NUFC game we’ve been involved in for quite some time. I will be remembered forever in Chicago for that! ?

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  13. Looked like Rafa learned from that Manu game. He brought on Hayden and Clark to shore up the defence and if he’d done that at Old Trafford we’d have won.

    Very exciting game yesterday with some class moments. Ki to Kenedy to Rondon was top drawer stuff.

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  14. Why do Jamie Carragher and Wayne Rooney talk like they are going to spit on your car and Paul McCartney and John Lennon didn’t?

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  15. Gayle got 2 again. keep him FFS. I know Stuart, he is Championship but he is still better than Joselu.

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  16. Mitrovic just been robbed of one for Fulham as well – then Salah goes on to score seconds later.

    VAR has to come into the PL imo. This weekend has highlighted it massively – though it could have cost us a penalty, so let’s not be too hasty ?

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  17. Gayle and Joselu scores about the same number of goals last season, Eric. How many Championship players do we need?

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  18. Stuart79:
    Gayle and Joselu scores about the same number of goals last season, Eric. How manyChampionship players do we need?

    Ask Mike Ashley 🙂

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  19. Liverpool just did the high press cheating. Push up, then foul if you lose the ball.

    I don’t really care though as long as it is not against us and they beat Fulham.

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  20. Sharpy17:
    Mitrovic just been robbed of one for Fulham as well – then Salah goes on to score seconds later.

    VAR has to come into the PL imo.This weekend has highlighted it massively – though it could have cost us a penalty, so let’s not be too hasty

    Sharpy. But we might have got three points at Manchester United.

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  21. I think that’s a bit disrespectful to Gayle really. No arguememts he’s not the standard of top 6 – but his goals and overall play last season was a big contribution to our 10th place finish. His pace and workrate was probably greater than his goal contribution – but he had a lot of chances – his conversion rate wasn’t good, and with us and WBA is a lot better in the Championship.
    He may not be a prolific goal scorer in the PL – but I still think he’s a PL forward – and our squad would be stronger now with him in it.

    Would I like us to buy better, of course. But I don’t think he’d be a bad option to have in the squad.

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  22. Groucho: Sharpy. But we might have got three points at Manchester United.

    I’m in favour of it mate. I think if it’s used correctly for every team, it would only improve the league.

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  23. Sharpy17:
    Mitrovic just been robbed of one for Fulham as well – then Salah goes on to score seconds later.

    VAR has to come into the PL imo.This weekend has highlighted it massively – though it could have cost us a penalty, so let’s not be too hasty

    At the game I thought we were lucky to get away with it but seeing Match of the Day Fernandez got the ball but did he bring down the man first? Very tight and I cannot criticise the ref for not giving a penalty. I think benefit of the doubt should always be given to the defender. Nice to see us get away with something for a change.

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  24. Groucho: At the game I thought we were lucky to get away with it but seeing Match of the Day Fernandez got the ball but did he bring down the man first?Very tight and I cannot criticise the ref for not giving a penalty. I think benefit of the doubt should always be given to the defender. Nice to see us get away with something for a change.

    Groucho – I still thought penalty mate, but that’s the reality isn’t it?! – even with VAR opinions will still be split. But at least it gives the ref a fighting chance in a fast moving game. I’m a big rugby fan too mate, and I just think they are miles ahead when it comes to getting decisions right – there’s none of this surrounding the ref and arguing on.
    Though I have to say Austin’s interview yesterday was very good.

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  25. Eric Sykes:
    It really is cheating though. ON PURPOSE. Take a foul or even a yellow.

    Eric – it’s those challenges I’d like to see the sin bin introduced mate. If you swipe a player out to gain an advantage or stop an attack – you should have to leave the field for a period of time.

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  26. I worried that Fulham were going to be comfortable this season coz in the first few games they were set up well and feeding Mitrovic and Schurrle good service. They were getting the ball wide and putting it into the box for Mitrovic to get across the defenders and notch 5 goals.
    But the manager has messed around with the playing staff, changing his defenders every game, changing his keeper and changing his tactics – they are playing more through the middle now and Mitro and Schurrle are on scraps now. They have real quality up front, and good players in their squad thanks to big investment in the summer. But they are getting it badly wrong at the moment … and long may it continue.

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  27. Sharpy I agree 100% on the use of VAR. Thought it was more important and more frequently called for than goal line technology, but to have both is preferable. Linesmen seem so poor at the moment and do little to help the ref other than give throw- ins. The idea of a sin bin for deliberate fouls is a good idea but I would like action also to be taken against players who when robbed of the ball throw themselves down to get a free kick. I have no doubt certain managers coach this and VAR might stop this.

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  28. Sharpy17:
    I worried that Fulham were going to be comfortable this season coz in the first few games they were set up well and feeding Mitrovic and Schurrle good service.They were getting the ball wide and putting it into the box for Mitrovic to get across the defenders and notch 5 goals.
    But the manager has messed around with the playing staff, changing his defenders every game, changing his keeper and changing his tactics – they are playing more through the middle now and Mitro and Schurrle are on scraps now.They have real quality up front, and good players in their squad thanks to big investment in the summer.But they are getting it badly wrong at the moment … and long may it continue.

    Agree 1 billion per cent.

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  29. Eric – my worry with Fulham is that they have the players. If they get the right coach in to set them up better, they could easily turn things round there.

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  30. City are so far ahead of Man Utd it’s barely believable. Considering the amount of money Jose has spent too:

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  31. The Silvas were the big difference today – David in particular was outstanding. Utd don’t have that and really need to improve that attacking midfield position – Aaron Ramsey wouldn’t be a bad option for them.
    I think Jose got it wrong not starting Lukaku as well. Stones and Laporte aren’t comfortable with physical battles and Lukaku would have been a good outlet with Pogba missing in the middle.

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  32. Interestingly we are closer to Man Itd than they are to City! Amazing considering what they’ve spent!

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  33. Stuart79:
    Interestingly we are closer to Man Itd than they are to City! Amazing considering what they’ve spent!

    Stu – Utd don’t make top 4 this season and it wouldn’t surprise me if they miss out on European football altogether.
    Their defence is weak, their midfield lacks creativity and he doesn’t know how to get the best out of his forwards.
    Jose twisted coz they didn’t get him a defender in summer, but they have spent a fortune for him since he came in.

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  34. Spotted d!ck. D!ckie Davis for those who used to watch World of Sport. Or D1ck’s Sporting Goods a giant chain of hunting and fishing gear over here. Should they take all of their signs down now with the swear police on the case?

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  35. If you’re in Vegas over the next few days, Eric come and join the fun. No NUFC games to watch with both Vegas NUFC supporters though…

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  36. See the kids are still at it.

    “However the blue-clad Magpies levelled 10 minutes later, Elias Sorensen robbing a home defender and squaring for Callum Roberts to guide a low shot in.

    And by the 26th minute the visitors were ahead, after Roberts latched on to a loose ball and scampered down the left flank before standing up a cross to the back post for Sorensen to nod home from close range.

    That’s the Danish forward’s 15th goal this season.”

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  37. Yes Georgio , the U21 team is doing really well with a good win at Grimsby last night and top of their group having won all of their games.
    All of the Under 21 teams in the competition have to play 1st and 2nd division clubs away from home so it has been a great achievement.
    The usual suspects were all on the score sheet again with Roberts , Sorensen and Longstaff getting one each.
    Sunderland are currently top of their group and I would love it if our under 21 team get drawn against them in the knockout rounds.

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  38. More takeover talk today I see. Apparently Jabba went to US to finalise a deal with some American investors. Believe it when I see it!

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  39. Talk that House of Fraser in the metro centre Gateshead will be closing coz Ashley won’t pay the rent – that didn’t take long did it?! ???

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  40. Sharpy17:
    Talk that House of Fraser in the metro centre Gateshead will be closing coz Ashley won’t pay the rent – that didn’t take long did it?!

    He will be blaming greedy landlords Sharpy, oh the irony.

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  41. Stu,

    Luke Edwards‏Verified account @LukeEdwardsTele · 17h17 hours ago

     More

    A US based group had expressed an interest in a takeover but after initial talks, it led nowhere. Club remains for sale but nothing appears to be imminent.

    13 replies . 23 retweets 44 likes

     Reply
    13

     Retweet
    23

    Like 44

    Show this thread

    Luke Edwards‏Verified account @LukeEdwardsTele · 17h17 hours ago

     More

    I’ve been informed Mike Ashley has not been in America recently to finalise a deal to sell #nufc and that there is a consortium, already dismissed in terms of being a creditable buyer, that appears to driving the flow of takeover rumours in the USA.

    As you were.

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  42. kimtoon: He will be blaming greedy landlords Sharpy, oh the irony.

    Kim – the other irony is that my mate has a season ticket – his missus works (for now) in House of Fraser.
    In a month where Leicester celebrate an owner who had such a positive impact on their city – he’s a bloke who has sapped the **** out of our region – a truly horrible human being, but at least his daughters fella has something to play with.

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  43. kimtoon:
    Stu,

    Luke Edwards‏Verified account @LukeEdwardsTele · 17h17 hours ago

     More

    A US based group had expressed an interest in a takeover but after initial talks, it led nowhere. Club remains for sale but nothing appears to be imminent.

    13 replies . 23 retweets 44 likes

     Reply13

     Retweet23

    Like44

    Show this thread

    Luke Edwards‏Verified account @LukeEdwardsTele · 17h17 hours ago

     More

    I’ve been informed Mike Ashley has not been in America recently to finalise a deal to sell #nufc and that there is a consortium, already dismissed in terms of being a creditable buyer, that appears to driving the flow of takeover rumours in the USA.

    As you were.

    Kim – because how do you do serious business with a bloke who says ‘make me an offer’.
    If your serious about selling, you set a price and negotiate to find a happy medium for both parties.
    Can you imagine selling your house but not actually placing a price on it – sticking a sign in the window and when someone turns up you say ‘you tell me what you think it’s worth’ (and I’ll add on to it). You settle on a price, but you come back with ‘yeah, but I get to keep parking my car on the drive’ – which is essentially what he’s trying to do keeping the SD advertising.
    The man is a joke. These are probably some of the most elite businessmen in the World, trying to do business with Del Boy over a curry and a pint.

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  44. Sharpy, Exactly mate on both counts. As you say, as owners the differences between Vichay and Mike are stark, night and day as it were. One breathed life into a city the other is constantly picking at scabs causing a festering infection and slow death. He suffocates the club with every decision he makes and renders it the impossible purchase for would be owners.
    He is the most reluctant of sellers, over 8 years and it’s still for sale ! The will is not there, never has been.

    Feel for your mates wife, in her shoes I would be looking to secure alternative employment .

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  45. I told you all when Fat Mike bought House of Fraser it was a property play. They were planning to shut down a bunch of stores and that wasn’t ever going to change. The leases were voided when HoF went bankrupt and Ashley can now decide what he keeps. But he still has the trucks and distribution for nothing and doesn’t have to pay off the staff.

    There really is no hope for big high street stores except in London or Edinburgh. It has to be multi-use or status symbol stuff supported by tourists like Harrods.

    Amazon is taking over the rest of the world !

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  46. I mean, I don’t even have to go to the supermarket anymore thanks to Jeff Bezos.

    I am having my groceries delivered today free of charge. I spent 12 minutes doing it rather than an hour shopping in the store.

    I am paying a tip of $7 for the convenience factor but I don’t even have to do that if I don’t want to.

    Amazon is taking over the world.

    Hopefully Jeff will buy NUFC.

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