Pope denies Kluivert as vibrant Bournemouth are held despite late push

Bournemouth’s surge to the line nearly brought a statement win, but Nick Pope's stoppage-time save from Justin Kluivert's free-kick meant the Cherries settled for a 0-0 with Newcastle United. It was the only shot on target after the break in a contest the hosts largely controlled in territory and tempo.

Andoni Iraola's side, enjoying their best start to a Premier League season, were on the front foot early. A lively David Brooks run teed up Tyler Adams, whose stinging effort was kept out by Pope's foot, and Brooks then found the net from close range before a tight VAR offside call chalked it off.

A fast start that demanded respect

Bournemouth's intensity drew a tactical concession from Eddie Howe. Newcastle abandoned their customary 4-3-3 for a back three/five and made seven changes from midweek, a nod to both the schedule and the challenge posed by Iraola's third-placed side.

Even so, the Cherries found spaces early as Iraola switched his wide players and attacked with variety. New arrivals Bafode Diakite and Adrien Truffert continued to look at home, part of a back line that has coped impressively with summer departures.

Decisions that stung the home crowd

The Vitality bristled when Malick Thiaw, cautioned for handball moments earlier, brought down Ryan Christie outside the area and escaped a second booking. "It's a clear second yellow," Iraola argued, noting that Thiaw was substituted almost immediately.

At the other end, Newcastle wanted a penalty when Nick Woltemade claimed a shirt pull by Diakite after cushioning a cross, but referee Robert Jones was unmoved. The sense on the south coast was that the pivotal calls went Newcastle's way, even if neither incident reached the threshold for VAR intervention.

Kluivert's late moment and the fine margins

Introduced to tilt a tight game, Kluivert nearly reprised the damage he did at St James' Park last season, when he struck a hat-trick in this fixture. His stoppage-time free-kick from shooting range was firm and low but Pope, Newcastle's best performer, beat it away.

It summed up a second half short on openings. Bournemouth kept pressing but, by Iraola's admission, "we haven't been as brilliant offensively" after a strong first 30 minutes. The platform was there; the final action just would not fall.

Where the draw leaves the Cherries

The numbers underline the stalemate: 15 total shots and a combined xG of 0.69, both the lowest of any Premier League match this season. Newcastle registered only one shot on target all day through Jacob Murphy, while Kluivert's free-kick was the only effort on target after half-time.

A point keeps Bournemouth third and extends an excellent opening in which they have lost only once, away at Liverpool. There was no late reward for the side doing the pushing, but the performance — and the respect Newcastle showed by changing shape — reinforces the sense of momentum. Next up is a trip to Leeds United.