Newcastle United’s underwhelming performance against Bournemouth has been deservedly criticised, and Alan Shearer is no exception to that rule.

Eddie Howe’s side seldom got out of first gear and were largely controlled at home by a Europe-threatening Cherries side that were great value for their 4-1 win that shellshocked the Magpies and brought their nine-game winning run to a crashing halt.

The Toon must regroup and continue their top four challenge against Shearer’s old side Southampton on Saturday, with the club legend giving a scathing honest review of the recent defeat.

Shearer – “Newcastle couldn’t play out”

Speaking on the Rest Is Football podcast alongside Gary Lineker and Micah Richards, Alan Shearer shared his honest thoughts on Saturday’s 4-1 hammering at home to Bournemouth.

Justin Kluivert produced a classy performance at St James’ Park and completed his hat-trick late on against a previously reliable Newcastle defence that couldn’t cope with Bournemouth’s pressing and pace.

“They (Bournemouth) pressed high and Newcastle couldn’t play out from the back,” Shearer said. “When they did, they (Bournemouth) pressed and nicked (the ball) off them. Even after the first minute or two, I just thought ‘Uh oh’ because they got down the right-hand side twice, then down the left and scored early on.

“I know Newcastle got back to 1-1 with a (Bruno) Guimaraes goal from a corner but, other than that, they stopped Newcastle completely. Honestly, I was so impressed with Bournemouth.”

Shearer’s wowed by “fantastic” Bournemouth

Despite Newcastle’s shortcomings on the day, Bournemouth deserved their flowers and earned a lot of praise both during their performance and in the aftermath with Andoni Iraola working wonders with the south coast outfit.

Shearer again echoed the words of the Geordie faithful and credited the Cherries’ display, claiming they are the best team we’ve seen at St James’ Park this season “by an absolute mile.”

“I have to tell you that Bournemouth were by far the best team that have been to St James’ Park this season by an absolute mile,” he added.

“Physically, tactically and everything, they were superb in how organised (they were). They absolutely battered Newcastle from start to finish. 

“They were magnificent, I was so impressed by them. And, by the way, they had loads of injuries as well. Kluivert might not have been playing if Evanilson had been fit. The way they stopped Newcastle playing, with the press, they were superb all over the park. I was so impressed by Bournemouth.”

“The young centre-back Dean Huijsen didn’t give Isak a kick. To come to Newcastle and stifle Newcastle the way they did…anyone who plays Bournemouth is in for a game!”

The battering took Bournemouth a point behind Newcastle with their aspirations of securing European football for the first ever time now a real possibility, dishing out a massive win that was only the second time Newcastle have lost by three or more at home under Howe.

For Newcastle though it was a tired performance littered with individual errors as Howe opted to continue to select a winning team, no arguments there from me, but there are plenty of minutes in those legs now and a 4-1 home defeat may mean they are starting to show.