The Newcastle captain was the hero on his 150th start for the club.
Bruno Guimaraes basked in the “unbelievable feeling” of marking his 150th start for Newcastle United with a 90th-minute winner as they beat Fulham 2-1.
Newcastle went into the game on the back of a superb 3-0 win over Benfica in the Champions League, and took the lead in the 18th minute through Jacob Murphy, only for Sasa Lukic to level for Fulham 11 minutes into the second half.
But Newcastle finished very strongly and, after peppering the Fulham goal, the Magpies secured only their third win of the Premier League season when Guimaraes turned home on the rebound after Bernd Leno had kept out Will Osula’s initial effort.
It marked a change in fortunes in games decided late on for Newcastle this season, the Magpies having suffered defeats to Liverpool and Arsenal to goals that came right at the death.
“I feel unbelievable,” Guimaraes told BBC Final Score.
“We were very tired from Wednesday’s game and I think we had to learn how to finish the game.
“I’m happy in the end we scored a goal. The last few games we have been punished at the end – by Arsenal, Liverpool.
“Will Osula, he came, he shot and I was ready for the rebound in my 150th start for this club. Now I just want to rest for a bit because I am very tired.
“My whole family is here, my mum, my kids, my wife so to score a goal like that is very special at the Gallowgate End. It is a very good moment.”
Bruno: This is the Newcastle I know
Newcastle striker Nick Woltemade struck the post early on as the hosts sought to make a lightning fast start.
After Guimaraes fired wide from long-range, Murphy then hit the woodwork with a cross-cum-shot, though he would not be denied a second time.
Murphy robbed Calvin Bassey of possession deep in the Fulham half and surged through on goal to fire a precise finish in off the left-hand post.
The Newcastle winger was thwarted by Leno in another one-on-one situation that came either side of wasted Fulham chances for Adama Traore and Emile Smith-Rowe.
Fulham grew into the game and deservedly levelled, Lukic bundling home after Raul Jimenez had struck the crossbar from substitute Kevin’s excellent left-wing cross.
Yet Newcastle recovered from that setback, with Guimaraes spurning a gilt-edged chance when he headed over from close range before Anthony Elanga saw a goal-bound effort blocked by Ryan Sessegnon.
Joelinton headed into the side-netting and Sandro Tonali was denied by an outstanding save from Leno, but the Fulham goalkeeper could do nothing to stop Guimaraes atoning for his earlier miss as substitute Osula’s energy was rewarded.
“We cannot play the perfect game every time but we need to find the three points and we did this today,” Guimaraes added. “Very pleased for everyone. This is the Newcastle I know, we fight until the end.”
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