Jamie Carragher believes Bruno Guimaraes was the 'best player by a mile' during Newcastle United's victory over Wolves and has predicted there is 'more to come'. The Brazil international was handed his first start at St James' Park as Eddie Howe's side moved 10 points clear of the relegation zone on Friday night.
Chris Wood scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot to seal a tight contest. However, it was Guimaraes' display that was subject to post-match praise as the January signing was named the man of the match.
Carragher believes it was 'difficult' for the midfielder to break into the starting eleven, but explained why the former Lyon star was a signing for the future rather than the immediate relegation battle. The Liverpool legend told Sky Sports: "He was the best player by a mile, he was rightly given man of the match. It has been difficult for him to try and get into the team, there's been that pressure and the team started playing well.
READ MORE: Chris Wood tells of his Newcastle United relief after Wolves winner
"Willock started playing a lot better than he had done earlier in the season, but there's no doubt he's a class act. I think the players Newcastle have brought in January, a lot of them were good, solid Premier League players here to keep Newcastle in the Premier League.
"He wasn't signed for that, he was signed for the future, the next three or four years. The reaction of the crowd in this stadium...that's the calibre of signing they want.
"Three of four like that in the summer will really push Newcastle forward and into a position maybe where Wolves are, with seven or eight games to go next season and pushing for a European place. He looks a class act, he was the best player on the pitch tonight and I think there's more to come."
Wood scored his first black-and-white goal at St James' Park in front of the Gallowgate End, and just his second strike since signing in January. The former Burnley striker's form has been questioned in recent weeks due to his struggles in front of goals so far.
Howe has previously labelled Wood's all-round contributions as 'outstanding', and defended the New Zealand international in a pre-match discussion with Carragher and fellow presenter Kelly Cates. However, the pundit believes both the head coach and the striker will be 'delighted' despite their previous 'rubbish' responses.
Carragher explained: "We speak about different players every season, this striker is not scoring and we get that much rubbish off the manager, saying that it doesn't matter who scores. The striker themselves say it's all about the points.
"We all know it's rubbish, but we have to listen to it. So he'll be absolutely delighted Eddie Howe, Chris Wood even more so that's hes got a goal because that's what he's in the team for. He's in the team to put the ball in the back of the net."
Howe remains adamant Newcastle are still locked in a relegation battle, despite restoring a double-digit barrier to the bottom three. However, Carragher is confident the Toon Army can now start planning for life in the Premier League next season.
The pundit added: "They're well safe because I actually look at Watford, Burnley, and Everton now and I think are they actually going to get 34 points? Even from now, if Newcastle lost seven games...I think to stay up, you're looking at 34-35 points.
"I don't think it'll be too much more than that. I think Newcastle are safe, and you know what? They're playing that well, they don't have to worry about it.
"That's why I asked Eddie Howe will you start looking forward? Imagine getting into 10th, or maybe even the top-half. That might be too much to ask, but the way they are playing, certainly at home, they look like a mid-table Premier League club. They don't look like a club fighting relegation."
We want to hear your thoughts, so LOG IN and leave your comment below
