Adrien Truffert fired home a late winner to extend Bournemouth’s impressive unbeaten run on another damaging afternoon for Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe.
The visitors, who are now undefeated in the Premier League in a club record 13 games, looked determined to give manager Andoni Iraola a fitting send-off by finishing the campaign strongly after the Spaniard announced this week he would be leaving at the end of the season.
Although Newcastle forward William Osula cancelled out Marcus Tavernier’s opener midway through the second half, there was still time for another twist at St James’ Park.
Tavernier turned provider as he sent in a cross and Evanilson headed it down for the unmarked Truffert to fire into the roof of the net to send Iraola darting down the touchline as his side moved up to eighth place.
It was a familiar story for Howe against his former club after his side threw away another result late on.
Howe said his fire was burning “very strongly” on the eve of this game, as his future comes under increased scrutiny, but it was Bournemouth who seized the initiative.
The visitors opened the scoring when Rayan skipped away from Lewis Hall down the right and cut the ball back across to Tavernier, who bundled home from close range.
There were a smattering of boos at half-time from the home support, but Newcastle responded in the second half.
Evanilson inadvertently played Osula in after hooking the ball forward while attempting to win it from substitute Bruno Guimaraes in the middle of the park.
Osula raced through, sorted out his feet under pressure from Marcos Senesi and slotted the ball past Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic.
Although the goal was initially disallowed for offside by referee Tom Bramall, the decision was reversed to loud cheers from the home support following a check by the video assistant referee.
But there was still time for Truffert to score a dramatic winner to leave Newcastle in 14th place.
