Bruno Guimaraes scores directly from corner as Eddie Howe makes 'uncomfortable' Newcastle United admission
Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon scored in the first half to help Newcastle United secure a 2-1 win against Burnley at St James’ Park.
Newcastle United made it 10 points from 12 in the Premier League with a 2-1 win against struggling Burnley at St James’ Park.
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Bruno Guimaraes gave the hosts the lead directly from a corner before Burnley were reduced to 10 men with Lucas Pires sent off for a foul on Anthony Elanga. Anthony Gordon then made it 2-0 before half-time from the penalty spot.
Despite Newcastle controlling the game in the second half, they were in for a nervous end after Burnley were awarded a stoppage-time penalty, which was converted by Zian Flemming.
Burnley then pushed for an equaliser and came close before the referee finally blew for full-time.
Eddie Howe makes ‘uncomfortable’ Newcastle United admission
Speaking candidly after the match, Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe said: “That was an uncomfortable ending for us.
“Certainly a lot to learn and the beauty is we're learning with a victory behind us rather than a negative result.
“So we have to improve our management of games at the latter stages and today that nearly cost us. We have to be very honest and say that wasn't a good period of the game for us.
“Although it was a tough game today, I always thought it was going to be in the sense that Burnley very well organised and made it difficult for us. It wasn't our finest performance, a long way short of that really, but we got the job done. It's 10 points out of 12.”
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Bruno Guimaraes scores directly from a corner
Newcastle captain Guimaraes scored his fifth and arguably best Premier League goal of the season so far as his corner curled directly over Martin Dubravka and into the Burnley net to give the home side the lead. It’s the first time Newcastle have scored directly from a corner in the Premier League.
Reflecting on the goal, the Brazilian said: “I’ve never done that before in my career - it was an unbelievably beautiful goal! I didn’t know I was the first Newcastle player to score from a corner in the Premier League either.
“We actually practiced it in training this week. I had to celebrate with the corner flag - as one of my ten celebrations!”
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When asked about the goal, Howe added: “That was our plan from set-plays today, to put the ball right on the goalkeeper's vision, on his head.
“But Bruno took it a step further and put it in the goal, so I'm more than happy with that.
“I think he's always been that [difference maker] for us, really. I think he's always grabbed the mantle in terms of trying to be the player that makes the difference. I think he thrives on that responsibility.
“That's why I think he's done so well as our captain. He wants the responsibility. He wants to drive the team forward.
“I think he did that really well again today. And these are the games, really, where you show that. Because it's very easy to not be able, if you're an established player, to build yourself up for these games.