Winning a high-stakes football match at a place like the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is supposed to feel like a purely joyous occasion, but for Newcastle United, Tuesday night’s 2-1 victory came with a heavy side of anxiety.
While the three points were vital for moving the club up to 10th in the Premier League and breaking a painful three-game losing streak, the celebration was cut short by the sight of club captain Bruno Guimarães hobbling off the pitch. As the Magpies prepare for a critical FA Cup clash against Aston Villa this Saturday, the fitness of their Brazilian talisman has become the most talked-about topic on Tyneside.
The match itself showed exactly what Newcastle is capable of when they find their rhythm. Goals from Malick Thiaw and a man-of-the-match performance from Jacob Ramsey secured only the third away win of the season for Eddie Howe’s men.
It was a gritty display that reminded everyone why this squad was playing Champions League football not long ago. However, the victory may have come at a very high price. Guimarães, who has been the heartbeat of the team throughout their recent struggles, appeared to suffer a leg issue in the final minutes of the game.
In the immediate aftermath of the win, Eddie Howe was candid about his concerns. Speaking to the media, the manager admitted that the captain was “a little bit worried” about the nature of the discomfort. The worry stems from the fact that Guimarães has rarely, if ever, dealt with hamstring problems in his career.
This lack of experience with the injury makes it difficult to tell if the pain was simply a result of severe cramp after an exhausting ninety minutes or if it was a genuine muscle tear. Howe noted that while they need to wait for official scans, his gut feeling was that it looked more like a standard injury than a temporary bout of exhaustion.
Losing Guimarães right now would be a catastrophic blow for a midfield that is already stretched to its breaking point. The club is currently navigating a period where their depth is being tested like never before. Joelinton is already sidelined with a groin injury, and now there is more bad news regarding the young prodigy Lewis Miley.
The 19-year-old, who has been a revelation since breaking into the first team, has suffered a frustrating setback in his recovery from a leg injury. He hasn’t featured since the draw in Paris, and it now appears he will be unavailable for at least another couple of weeks.
This timeline means Miley will definitely miss the trip to Villa Park, the European encounter with Qarabag, and very likely the upcoming Premier League match against Manchester City. Howe has been vocal about how much the team misses the teenager’s composure and tactical awareness.
To have two high-level operators like Joelinton and Miley unavailable is hard enough; to potentially lose the captain on top of that is a nightmare scenario for any coach. The midfield is the engine room of Howe’s system, and without these key pieces, the team’s ability to control games and protect the defense is significantly weakened.
| Newcastle Midfield Availability | Status | Expected Return |
| Bruno Guimarães | Hamstring Concern | Pending Scan |
| Lewis Miley | Leg Injury | Late February |
| Joelinton | Groin Injury | Late February |
| Sandro Tonali | Available | Playing |
The injury crisis isn’t just limited to the middle of the park, either. The defensive unit is also in a state of emergency. Tino Livramento is expected to remain out for another month, and the absence of Fabian Schär is set to continue for at least another eight weeks.
Furthermore, there is still no clear return date for Emil Krafth, who has been battling a knee issue since early November. This relentless wave of injuries has forced Howe into making constant tactical adjustments, often playing players out of their natural positions just to field a competitive starting eleven.
Despite these hurdles, the win against Spurs has given the squad a much-needed boost in morale. Moving back into the top half of the table provides a sense of security, but the FA Cup represents the club’s last realistic chance at silverware this season.
Facing an Aston Villa side that is famously strong at home will require every ounce of resilience the Newcastle players have left. The medical staff is now working around the clock to assess Guimarães, as his presence on the pitch often makes the difference between a team that survives and a team that dominates.
As the fans wait for the official scan results, there is a palpable sense of “one step forward, two steps back.” The victory in London proved that the spirit of the team is still very much alive, but the physical toll of the Premier League is starting to look like a formidable opponent in its own right.
Newcastle United is a club built on fighting through adversity, and they will certainly need to tap into that resolve as they head into one of the busiest and most difficult stretches of their campaign.
