A flashback article revisits Bournemouth's 2-1 Premier League home defeat to Newcastle United from November 2018. The report, originally published by the True Faith - Independent NUFC Fanzine, looks back on a match where the Cherries fell short despite a late first-half goal from Jefferson Lerma.
Newcastle struck early and late in the first half at the Vitality Stadium on 10 November 2018. Salomón Rondón put the visitors ahead after just seven minutes and doubled their lead in the 40th minute. Bournemouth, managed by Eddie Howe, pulled one back right before the break when Lerma found the net. The second half yielded no further goals, leaving the final score at 2-1 in front of 49,266 spectators. The Cherries had entered the match off a loss to Manchester United but with a potent attack that had netted 21 times in their opening ten league games.
Eddie Howe selected a side featuring Asmir Begovic in goal, with a back four of Simon Francis, Steve Cook, Nathan Aké, and Adam Smith. The midfield included Jordon Ibe, Lewis Cook, Jefferson Lerma, and Ryan Fraser, supporting a forward line of David Brooks and Callum Wilson. Rafa Benítez's Newcastle included Martin Dúbravka, DeAndre Yedlin, Fabian Schär, Federico Fernández, Paul Dummett, Matt Ritchie, Ki Sung-yueng, Mohamed Diamé, Kenedy, Ayoze Pérez, and the two-goal hero Rondón. Substitutes used by Bournemouth were Charlie Daniels, Jermain Defoe, and Dan Gosling.
The context for Bournemouth is vastly different as of September 2026. The club currently sits 14th in the Premier League with one point from two matches, following a draw and a loss. They have scored two goals and conceded three, leaving them with a negative goal difference. The full standings show they are already five points behind early leaders Manchester City. This early-season form provides a fresh backdrop for remembering past encounters.
Attention now turns squarely to the present, with a quick turnaround for the squad. Bournemouth's next challenge is a trip to face Newcastle United again, scheduled for 5 September 2026. The Magpies, currently sixth, will provide a stern test. Manager Andoni Iraola will also be managing a treatment room that includes Amine Adli, Eli Junior Kroupi, Julián Araujo, and Veljko Milosavljević.
As contributor Scott Robson noted in the original fanzine piece, "It’s flashback time again and with every passing year Bournemouth continue to punch above both their weight and it’s harder to get the flashback juices going as we just haven't played that many times." This rarity adds significance to each past meeting. The 2018 match was a typical, hard-fought Premier League affair where a moment of quality from Rondón proved decisive. Bournemouth's current squad will aim for a better outcome when they travel to St. James' Park this week.
