HAPPY BRU YEAR

Skipper Guimaraes gets Magpies' busy January off to a flyer

- BY DAMIAN SPELLMAN

BRUNO GUIMARAES was Newcastle's hero as the Magpies emerged from the first of nine games in 28 days this month with the win they craved.

Toon boss Eddie Howe had spent the build up to the game dealing with criticism from some supporters about the perceived lack of a 'plan B'.

And while United had to wait until the second half to make the breakthrough against Crystal Palace, Howe's tactics did eventually pay dividends.

Guimaraes put the Magpies in front with a 71st-minute header, his seventh goal of the season, and then sent in the corner from which defender Malick Thiaw stabbed home the second (inset).

The clean sheet, Newcastle's first in 13 attempts, provided another reason for Howe to be cheerful.