We asked Dean Wilkins to give us his match ratings and player comments after Newcastle United 1 Bournemouth 2.
Ramsdale 6
Didn’t really have a chance with either goal and did okay otherwise. He wasn’t why United lost this match.
Livramento 5.5
I thought he did alright, got up and down the pitch well. Though like pretty much all of his teammates, clueless when got near the opposition penalty area. Could have done better on the opening goal but once a full-back is comprehensively beaten on the other side and a low cross fizzed across, difficult to defend that low ball. I really hope his injury isn’t serious.
Thiaw 5.5
The centre of defence wasn’t the big issue on Saturday, an average performance.
Botman 5.5
Same as Malick Thiaw.
Hall 5
Had a few decent runs with the ball, as usual. However, really poor on the opening goal and then subbed at the break. Maybe needs a breather and no surprise to me if Burn starts on the left against Arsenal.
Miley 5.5
For me, I don’t think Newcastle United were terrible in their general play. Miley one of many players who did a lot of the basics okay but struggled to really impose himself. Not able to add the kind of quality in key moments that the match needed.
Tonali 6
As with Miley, though Sandro did put a slightly better shift in and was doing his best to get United up the pitch. Along with the rest though, he couldn’t find the quality needed to threaten the opposition goal.
Ramsey 5.5
Same again. He carried the ball well at times but when getting near the opposition box, found himself with little back up and few options.
Elanga 4
Lacking quality and belief, kept giving the ball away and not the confidence to try and cross/create. Though so few players getting into the box, a bit of a thankless task anyway.
Osula 6
A lot of effort and took his goal well.
Barnes 5.5
I thought he did look up for it and a fair few runs with the ball. Not great but didn’t have much back up, nor targets to hit in the box.
SUBS
Trippier 6
One of Newcastle’s best players when he came on. If only he was ten (or even five!) years younger. Composure that was missing from many.
Jacob Murphy 5
Added nothing of note.
Bruno 6.5
Zero surprise that he looked the best player when he came on.
Newcastle United have really missed his drive and energy.
Burn 5.5
Did alright when coming on.
Woltemade (N/A)
Not on long enough to judge.
Newcastle 1 Bournemouth 2 – Saturday 18 April 2026 3pm
Match Stats
Goals:
Newcastle United:
Osula 68
Bournemouth:
Tavernier 32, Truffert 85
Possession was Newcastle 54% Bournemouth 46%
Total shots were Newcastle 12 Bournemouth 12
Shots on target were Newcastle 3 Bournemouth 3
Corners were Newcastle 2 Bournemouth 3
Touches in the opposition box Newcastle 40 Bournemouth 24
Newcastle team v Bournemouth:
Ramsdale, Livramento (Burn 74), Thiaw, Botman, Hall (Trippier 46), Miley, Tonali (Woltemade 86), Ramsey (Bruno 62), Osula, Barnes, Elanga (Jacob Murphy 62)
Unused subs:
Pope, Wissa, Alex Murphy, Willock