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It was an afternoon to forget for Newcastle United and Lewis Hall against AFC Bournemouth.
Lewis Hall was hooked at half-time during Newcastle United’s 2-1 defeat against AFC Bournemouth at St James’ Park on Saturday afternoon.
The Magpies trailed 1-0 at the time following Marcus Tavernier’s close-range strike from a low cross by Rayan, which Hall failed to stop.
It marked a low point in an uncharacteristically poor 45-minute showing from the England international, who has often been a beacon of quality and consistency in a Newcastle side that has largely lacked it this season.
Hall’s withdrawal and Kieran Trippier’s introduction saw Tino Livramento swap over to left-back. Newcastle’s game improved in the second half as captain Bruno Guimaraes was then introduced, and William Osula drew the home side level with his third goal in his last four Premier League appearances.
But things quickly turned bad for Newcastle as Livramento was forced off due to injury and Bournemouth went on to secure three points through Adrien Truffert’s 85th-minute goal.
It condemned Newcastle to an eighth defeat in 11 matches, which leaves them sitting 14th in the table with five games left to play.
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A ‘huge blow’ for Tino Livramento & NUFC
On Livramento’s injury, Howe explained: “For Tino, that's a huge blow for him. And for us, I actually thought he, in part, with Kieran's introduction at the beginning of the second half, made it stronger.
“And then losing him was a big blow.”
Livramento had only recently returned from an extended spell on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury picked up against Bournemouth in the FA Cup back in January.
He is now facing another spell out with uncertainty as to whether he will feature again this season.
It also sparked a question regarding Hall’s fitness after his half-time withdrawal.
Eddie Howe shuts down Lewis Hall injury fear
Howe was quick to point out that Hall’s half-time withdrawal was not injury or fitness-related as he reorganised his back four following the tactical change.
While it was an off day for Hall, he is expected to be available for the trip to Arsenal next time out in the Premier League.
When asked if Hall’s substitution was injury-related, Howe responded bluntly: “No, that was tactical.”
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