'Outstanding' Newcastle United star hailed after Crystal Palace win - but it's not Bruno Guimaraes
Bruno Guimaraes and Malick Thiaw scored as Newcastle United claimed a 2-0 win against Premier League rivals Crystal Palace.
Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes was at his inspirational best once again as the Magpies battled their way to a 2-0 home win against Premier League rivals Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon.
After enduring a frustrating opening 45 minutes on a freezing cold day on Tyneside, Eddie Howe’s men edged themselves in front with just under 20 minute remaining as the Brazil international headed beyond Eagles goalkeeper Dean Henderson after getting on the end of a Lewis Miley flick. Guimaraes then played a part in United’s second goal of the day as his inswinging corner-kick caused chaos in the visitors defence and that allowed Malick Thiaw to fire home his first St James Park goal from close range to end any threat of a comeback from the visitors.
The Magpies captain took the plaudits in the aftermath of the win - but it was one of his team-mates that landed the man of the match award from former United loan signing Michael Bridges as he hailed Lewis Miley’s performance at right-back and the consistency the youngster has shown in recent weeks as reasons to delight Howe and Newcastle supporters alike.
Speaking after naming the academy product as man of the match, Bridges told Sky Sports: “It’s the youngster of Newcastle, Lewis Miley. Not only had he had an assist, he’s done his defensive duty, his passing accuracy has been absolutely outstanding, he hasn’t gave a ball away, 100 percent. What I am impressed with, it’s not his natural position at right-back but the job he’s been asked to do, the way he’s executed it, he’s a midfielder, and I think Eddie Howe and the fans will be delighted with not just this performance but just how consistent he is becoming.”
What has Eddie Howe said about Lewis Miley?
Speaking last month after Miley scored the winner in the Carabao Cup quarter-final with Fulham, Howe said: “Lewis' performance at right-back, I thought, was outstanding,” Howe said. “He's not really played there before. We did quite a bit of work with him this morning, in terms of how to be a right-back. But his technical delivery, we never doubted. His tactical understanding of the position, I thought, was at the highest level, considering his lack of experience there.
“I mean, Lewy is always level-headed and calm. When I told him, I'm going to play you at right-back, his reaction was typical. There was just one training session where we just talked through what we wanted to do. But the fact he did it for the team, and he did it in such a good way, I think you get rewarded for that. He has such a bright future.”
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