Newcastle 2-1 Bournemouth: Rondon scores twice as Newcastle record successive league wins
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It is only the second time this season Newcastle have scored more than once in a league game - and the first time it has resulted in victory
Salomon Rondon struck twice as Newcastle recorded consecutive Premier League wins for the first time since April with victory over Bournemouth at St James' Park.
Rondon put the home side ahead after just seven minutes following great work by DeAndre Yedlin, who darted in behind the Bournemouth defence to pick out the waiting Venezuelan.
The 29-year-old striker then doubled his side's advantage as half-time approached, dropping deep to collect the ball before charging into the penalty area to meet Kenedy's cross with a powerful header.
There was a long first-half delay as Adam Smith received treatment for an injury sustained while preparing to take a free-kick, and it was deep into stoppage-time that Bournemouth found a route back into the contest as record signing Jefferson Lerma nodded in Ryan Fraser's cross.
Cherries goalkeeper Asmir Begovic produced a string of fine saves to keep his side in the contest, while Jordon Ibe missed a good opportunity to equalise for the visitors who fell to back-to back league defeats.
Rondon inspires Newcastle to victory
Newcastle 2-1 Bournemouth: Three points massive boost for Magpies - Rafael Benitez
After their worst top-flight start for 120 years, Newcastle recorded their first Premier League win of the season last weekend with a 1-0 triumph over Watford - and it appeared as though a significant weight had been lifted as the Magpies produced an energetic performance against the Cherries.
Rafael Benitez was without injured trio Jamaal Lascelles, Jonjo Shelvey and Yoshinori Muto, yet his side - bottom of the league two weeks ago - dug in to see out another important three points in the battle to avoid relegation.
The Spaniard's side, who had lost six of their last eight at home, were set up to deny Bournemouth space at St James' Park and worked tirelessly to press the Cherries and disrupt the rhythm of their visitors.
Rondon, on a season-long loan from Championship side West Brom, bullied the Bournemouth defence at times and registered eight shots while also dropping in to create opportunities as the hosts climbed to 14th in the league table.
The Magpies had previously scored more than once in a game on a single occasion this season - their 3-2 defeat at Manchester United in October - but would have added to their tally had it not been for the efforts of Begovic to deny Rondon a hat-trick late on.
And, with momentum building, they now face Burnley in a key league game following the international break.
"We have to give credit to our players, they were very good," said Benitez. "We have done well in some games but that was one of the best mentalities in the way we competed for the ball.
"[Salomon] Rondon did well - he has to improve his fitness but he was working well and trying to fight the defenders. He showed what he can do and is giving us something different."
Cherries struggle as Smith suffers "serious" injury
Newcastle 2-1 Bournemouth: Eddie Howe disappointed by slow-starting Cherries
Defeat condemned Bournemouth to consecutive league defeats for the first time since April, though they remain a creditable sixth in the league.
Eddie Howe, the Premier League's manager of the month for October, had described Marcus Rashford's late winner for Manchester United last weekend as "a tough one" - but the Cherries were slow to start on this occasion, despite their good form.
That was largely due to Newcastle's disruptive play, however they did create the game's first opportunity as Federico Fernandez was forced to produce a last-gasp block to deny Ibe.
The opening goal filled the hosts with a confidence that Howe's side struggled to contain, before Adam Smith's injury halted the Cherries as they looked to be growing into the contest.
Smith appeared to injure his knee as he stuttered in his run-up to take a free-kick, and received oxygen before being stretchered off after a lengthy delay.
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe says Adam Smith's injury "looks quite serious"
Lerma - also replaced due to injury - offered a lifeline to the visitors to set up a delicately poised second half, but Ibe squandered his side's best opportunity to rescue a point in a game where Callum Wilson, fresh from his first senior international call-up, was often left isolated.
The Cherries thought they had found a late equaliser but Dan Gosling was correctly flagged for offside after bundling in David Brooks' effort as Newcastle resisted the visitors' late pressure.
Howe's side embark on a tough run once the Premier League resumes, with Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool all to come within their next four fixtures.
"Adam Smith looks like he's got a knee injury, it looks quite serious. It did disrupt the flow of the game - the long delay - and obviously the players were concerned so that didn't help," said Howe.
"I was pleased with aspects of the second half, we were on the front foot more and we had the ball in some dangerous areas. We will use this time to assess the injuries and come back fresh. You are judged game by game and today was a disappointment."
Man of the match - Salomon Rondon (Newcastle)
Newcastle striker Salomon Rondon's goals proved the difference in a strong all-round performance that saw him register eight shots and touch the ball more times than any team-mate
Rondon puts an end to drought - the stats
Newcastle have won consecutive Premier League games for the first time since April - when they went on to win four in a row.
Magpies striker Rondon scored his first Premier League goal in 10 appearances, since netting versus Liverpool in April.
Rondon has scored more than once in a Premier League game for just the second time - also scoring three against Swansea in December 2016.
Bournemouth lost their first away game in all competitions against Newcastle since February 1990.
The Cherries have lost their last two Premier League games, despite losing just two of their previous 12.
Bournemouth's Jefferson Lerma scored for the first time in 57 appearances in Europe's big five leagues, since netting for Levante against Espanyol in La Liga in December 2015.
What's next?
Once the international break concludes, Bournemouth host Arsenal on Sunday, 25 November (13:30 GMT) while Newcastle travel to face Burnley a day later (20:00 GMT).