The Newcastle captain was the hero in his 150th start for the club.
Bruno Guimaraes felt the “amazing feeling” of marking his 150th start for Newcastle United with a 90th-minute winner as they beat Fulham 2-1.
Newcastle came into the game on the back of a stunning 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 equalize for Fulham 11 minutes into the second half.
But Newcastle finished strongly and, after scoring Fulham’s goal, the Magpies secured just their third Premier League win of the season when Guimaraes headed home on the rebound after Bernd Leno had palmed away Will Osula’s initial effort.
It marked a change in fortunes in late-decided games for Newcastle this season, with the Magpies suffering defeats against Liverpool and Arsenal with goals scored just at the death.
“I feel incredible,” 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 that in the end we scored a goal. In the last games we were 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 a little bit because I’m very tired.
“My whole family is here, my mum, my kids, my wife so to score a goal like that is very special at Gallowgate End. It’s a really good moment.”
Bruno: This is the Newcastle I know
Newcastle striker Nick Woltemade hit the post early on as the hosts looked to get off to a lightning-fast start.
After Guimaraes shot wide from long range, Murphy then hit the woodwork with a cross shot, although it was not denied a second time.
Murphy stole possession from Calvin Bassey deep in the Fulham half and pounced on goal to fire a pinpoint finish onto the left post.
The Newcastle winger was thwarted by Leno in another one-on-one situation which occurred either side of Fulham’s wasted chances for Adama Traore and Emile Smith-Rowe.
Fulham grew into the game and deservedly equalized, Lukic heading home after Raul Jimenez hit 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 in 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 a superb save from Leno, but the Fulham keeper could do nothing to prevent Guimaraes atone for his earlier failure as substitute Osula’s energy was rewarded.
“We can’t play the perfect game every time but we have to find the three points and we did that today,” Guimaraes added. “Very happy for everyone. This is the Newcastle I know, we will fight until the end.”
