Bruno Guimaraes apology as Newcastle United get…

Bruno Guimaraes apology as Newcastle United get valuable lesson at Wembley

Bruno Guimaraes was in tears at the end of the Carabao Cup final on a day in which his fellow countryman Casimero grabbed the headlines.

Such is the fine line between success and failure that the ex-Real Madrid star's goal came just moments after Bruno had volleyed over. In all truth, Bruno - not helped by an ankle injury in the cup final - didn't look anywhere close to his brilliant best and one of his least effective performances came on the big stage at Wembley.

Whether his red card against Southampton had resulted in him losing some of his sway and rhythm in the last fortnight or so is certainly a feasible argument. Eddie Howe has admitted that it doesn't take long for players to lose their sharpness so a three game ban must have felt like an eternity for the midfielder.

As the players made their way around the pitch there was even an apology from Bruno as he held his hands up to the brilliant Toon Army at Wembley. Bruno doesn't really need to apologise but knows that he demands high standards of himself and others and the Magpies couldn't deliver on the day.

Man United's big stars turned up when it mattered - and Newcastle's didn't

The big difference after the game was the star men in red answered the call at the crucial hour, and Newcastle's main players couldn't manage it at Wembley.

Bruno, Callum Wilson - who got poor service in truth - and even Alexander Isak after the break just weren't at the races but the big-game players took the big-game moments for the Red Devils.

This was summed up when Eric ten Hag said after the match: "Raphael Varane, Casemiro and David de Gea know how to win trophies and you need such lads on the pitch to point the team. "They have the winning attitude they have to bring it in the dressing room, in difficult situations and that is what they have done."

Even a tired Man United team were able to dig deep and deliver and Newcastle need to somehow find that no-nonsense determination to step up when the chips are down.

Loris Karius should still be proud of his display

Having been reminded of his Champions League final nightmare against Real Madrid constantly since Nick Pope was sent off, the German stopper should be proud of his display at Wembley despite being on the losing side.

There were a lot of concerns over Karius going into the game but he made some important saves in both halves and kept the scoreline down if anything. The irony was that Newcastle's defence had a slight off day and left him exposed twice in six minutes.

Here he showed he could be relied upon and Newcastle at least have an option between the posts for the future.

Bruno Guimaraes apology as Newcastle United get valuable lesson at Wembley

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