Newcastle United have a new talisman in Bruno Guimaraes.
The Brazil international gave a demonstration of the team the Geordies want to be in the future - then declared he wants to play another 100 games at St James’s Park. The 24-year-old conjured two goals to haul Newcastle back from one down, as Eddie Howe’s side almost guaranteed their Premier League safety.
Guimaraes’ header in the 94th minute was just about the last touch of the game and when the final whistle went he sank to his knees and celebrated. He is no mercenary. He’s combative, skillful, and desperate to prove himself with an infectious hunger for the ball. Guimaraes explained before the game he is on Tyneside to keep the club up - then have a crack at winning trophies including in Europe.
The stark reality is Newcastle have a long way to go before being there, with Leicester looking player by player a better side, and they are currently only ninth in the top flight. But in Guimaraes, Newcastle have someone to build a new era around as they spend more in the summer. He was serenaded on a lap of thanks, passing a Bruno G flag that already honours his presence, then he threw his shirt to a kid behind the dugout.
He said: “What a feeling! What a game! To score two goals was brilliant, I don’t have words. It was always my dream to play in the Premier League. I am so happy. It was my first header, really! That goal was for the group. We are so happy today. It is really important for me to score my first goal at St. James' Park. I enjoyed playing here a lot, this is my home, I want to play 100 times here. I want to be a legend here."
Newcastle boss Howe said: “Goals were not necessarily the area we thought Bruno would enhance us in, but he has. You do expect goals from a No 8, and a good output, and it looks like he can excel in there and he was magnificent in every aspect especially out of possession. Physically, for him to be in the box at the end to score, is the biggest compliment. He is a passionate individual. He cares deeply about winning. He wears his heart on his sleeve. Bruno the person has settled in very quickly and built friendships and was a calm, happy person.
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“Bruno the footballer: we were patient with him and didn’t want to expose him to the Premier League too quickly. He showed his qualities in training behind the scenes, and he has picked up the pace quickly. In the 95th minute he is in the box, and to physically be able to score that. I hope he has a long future here. The supporters can see the passion and the character and how happy he is to be here. That is hugely important.”
They chant 'Bruno, Bruno' now at St James’ Park, and his header was a knockout blow for Leicester that big Frank the old heavyweight champion would have been proud of. Joe Willock broke and did a low cross that was deflected and looped to the back post, where Bruno dived to head home. Earlier he levelled, netting his first goal at St James’ Park, but not until after a long VAR check. Kasper Schmeichel was challenged for a bobbling ball six yards out by the Brazilian international. The Dane was grappling to get control of it with his legs and after two stabs at it, Guimaraes forced home.
Jarred Gillett allowed a VAR check, then took a look for himself on the pitch side screen, before allowing the goal. The assist went to Chris Wood who cleverly nodded down Jonjo Shelvey’s corner into a danger zone. With Leicester out of the hunt for European qualification and Newcastle just about clear of relegation worries the game was flat with no real edge, but a grandstand finish. Lookman hammered home the opening goal from eight yards out after a well worked corner, but Leicester were undone at the death.
It was Newcastle’s fifth consecutive home win. Toon boss Howe has transformed Newcastle’s fortunes, guiding them to eight wins in their last 12 games. When he took over they were winless and had only five points and are now clear of the relegation zone with 37 points. Howe said: “Our home form was going to be key to stay in the division. I wanted an environment where the players were excited to play at home and express themselves and play without fear, and I thank the fans for helping us do that. You don’t get many last minute winners and it is a great feeling.”
