Flying Dutchman Kluivert hails 'beautiful' cup comeback for Cherries at QPR

Super substitute Justin Kluivert helped AFC Bournemouth progress to the fourth round of the FA Cup, before describing their comeback at Queens Park Rangers as “beautiful”.

The Dorset club trailed 2-0 at the interval at Loftus Road, with Sinclair Armstrong and Lyndon Dykes netting for the hosts.

That sparked Cherries boss Andoni Iralola to introduce Kluivert and Ryan Christie at the break.

Marcus Tavernier netted shortly after half-time for Cherries, before Kieffer Moore’s header restored parity.

And it was left to Kluivert to net the winner 21 minutes from time, turning in Philip Billing’s cross to spark wild celebrations in front of the away fans.

The winning moment ??‍?? pic.twitter.com/ZKnEhGtVYR

— AFC Bournemouth ?? (@afcbournemouth) January 7, 2024

Assessing the contest, Kluivert told afcbTV: “I think we didn’t start well, to be fair.

“It’s always the reaction that you show and I think you see the reaction we show is the team spirit we have. It’s beautiful to come back like this.”

Asked what was said to him at half-time, Netherlands international Kluivert replied: “We just needed to do what we know – how to press.

“We know what he (Iraola) expects from us and first half we had some difficulties and conceded some goals also.

“The second half our mindset was different. Me and Ryan came on and we just did everything to help the team to change the mindset and we did – so we are very happy.”

Former Ajax man Kluivert arrived at Cherries from Roma in the summer, having previously had loan spells at RB Leipzig, Nice and Valencia.

As well as scoring in the Carabao Cup and Premier League, the Amsterdam-born forward had struck in domestic league and cup competitions across Italy, France and Spain.  

Quizzed about his scoring record across the continent, Kluivert replied: “I think Guinness Book of Records needs to call me one day because they miss somebody in it! You can maybe arrange it!”