'The Newcastle way' paying off as United hit 11th spot

NEWCASTLE United secured a vital three points in the Premier League with a dramatic 2-1 win over Fulham on Saturday.

- BySEAN McCORMICK Football writer

Lewis Miley

Jacob Murphy fired the Magpies into a 1-0 lead in the first half but Fulham pegged them back with Sasa Lukie’s close range header.

Newcastle had twice hit the post and saw a host of chances go begging before captain Bruno Guimaraes stepped up to find a crucial winning goal in the 90th minute.

A lung-busting run from substitute William Osula allowed him to unleash a brilliant left-footed effort that was well saved by Bernd Leno but only into the path of Guimaraes who fired home the rebound.

It proved to be the winning goal that lifted Newcastle up to 11th in the Premier League table. Here are five things we learned from a huge win.

"I will never hide myself away from my club and I will be ready for every game,’ was Guimaraes’ pre-match message in the match-day programme.

It is that attitude that saw him make his 150th start for the club against Fulham and why he has missed just six matches since joining from Lyon in January 2022.

Eddie Howe said in his pre-match press conference that one of his captain’s biggest strengths is the consistency of his body and his positive mindset to be able to juggle playing in four competitions at club level, as well as playing for Brazil and clocking up thousands of air miles on international duty.

It is tough, but it is also testament to Guimaraes that he doesn’t let it affect his level of performance.