WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 30: Justin Kluivert of Bournemouth celebrates after he scores a hat-trick of penalties to make it 4-2 during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and AFC Bournemouth at Molineux on November 30, 2024 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
Bournemouth star Justin Kluivert proved that practice makes perfect by creating Premier League history with his unique hat-trick against Wolves.
Kluivert, 25, became the first Premier League player to score three penalties in the one game, later quipping that pulling off the feat was 'easy'. Steven Gerrard had previously gone closest but agonisingly missed his third spot-kick during Liverpool's 3-0 win away to Manchester United back in the 2013-14 season.
It wasn't only Kluivert who put himself in the record books during Bournemouth's 4-2 victory on Saturday, as team-mate Evanilson also wrote his own bit of history. The Cherries' club-record signing made good on his £40million transfer fee to become the first man to win three penalties in the same Premier League match.
Visitors Bournemouth got off to a dream start at Molineux when Joao Gomes was adjudged to have fouled Evanilson with just 56 seconds on the clock. Up stepped Kluivert and the son of Dutch legend Patrick slotted home for goal No.1 - but the drama was just beginning.
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In a rapid response, Wolves hit back two minutes later through Jorgen Strand Larsen. The Cherries, however, were back ahead by the eighth minute, as marauding left-back Milos Kerkez fired in an unstoppable strike at the near post which gave Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa no chance.
It then became 3-1 to Bournemouth in the 18th minute when Evanilson crept up on Sa from the behind and the panicked Portuguese clipped the striker's ankles in desperation. Peter Bankes initially didn't award a penalty but after a VAR check, the referee pointed to the spot.
After going right with his first goal, Kluivert powered home into the bottom left-hand corner to give Bournemouth a two-goal lead. Andoni Iraola's side held that advantage until midway through the second half, as Larsen scored his second of the afternoon to setup a tense finale.
Five minutes later, though, Sa fouled Evanilson for the second time. The Portuguese shot-stopper, who'd already made headlines by entering the stands to deal with an angry Wolves supporter during the first half, was dealt a poor back pass from defender Craig Dawson, forcing him to take Evanilson out with his rushes clearance.
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Justin Kluivert scored a hat-trick of penalties against Wolves
Kluivert tucked home to make it 4-2, sealing his hat-trick and only the Cherries' second away win of the season. Post-match, the Netherlands international told Premier League Productions: "To go in the history books, that's amazing, super happy with it. I train them [the penalties]. We have a great keeper with Kepa [Arrizabalaga].
"We try some stuff, the first one I stop, and look at the 'keeper, what is he doing? I switch it up for the second one. Then the third, he doesn't know what I'm going to do. I waited and he chose for me. Easy as that. We have shown we can beat a lot of teams in this league. I am happy."
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