Eddie Howe insists Bruno Guimaraes has nothing to worry about after missing a penalty during Newcastle United's Carabao Cup win over Crystal Palace. The Magpies needed a shootout at the Leazes End to progress to the fourth-round after a tepid St James' Park stalemate on Wednesday evening.
Guimaraes was introduced as a second-half substitute and instantly lifted the team, and the crowd, as Newcastle looked for a winner in normal time. The Brazilian also stepped up to take his side's fifth penalty in the shootout but put his effort over the bar from 12 yards.
The midfielder couldn't hide his disappointment after the miss, despite Nick Pope saving the following Crystal Palace spot-kick to see the north east side through the next round. "It's about being a hero and a villain, always living the good side of history and today for the first time I had the misfortune of missing my first penalty, horrible feeling!" Guimaraes tweeted after the game.
READ MORE: Newcastle have got a bargain, future stadium glimpse and Arsenal and Chelsea boost - 5 things
"Anyone who knows me knows how much I charge myself and how hard I work not to make mistakes. I will continue to train and do my best to minimise mistakes. I would like to apologise to my teammates and the fans and congratulate them."
However, Newcastle boss Howe only had only positive words for the fan-favourite as he praised his second-half performance. "He cares so much. He wants to do the best for the team," Howe told reporters after the game.
"Everyone can miss a penalty, nobody is immune to that. He's missed tonight but we will pick him up and he'll be fine. I thought he did very well when he came onto the pitch."
Guimaraes' introduction gave St James' Park the lift it needed in the final 30 minutes as the home side pushed for the opening goal. The 24-year-old earned a call-up to the Brazil side earlier in the week.
READ NEXT
Newcastle United 0-0 Crystal Palace match report: Nick Pope the hero in 3-2 shoot-out win
Eddie Howe salutes his cup heroes but admits Newcastle United were "disjointed" vs Palace
Newcastle United player ratings as Nick Pope the hero after much changed Magpies win on penalties
Newcastle have got a bargain, future stadium glimpse and Arsenal and Chelsea boost - 5 things
