‘Done very little’: Pat Nevin criticises Bruno Guimaraes despite Newcastle United win

Newcastle United took a significant step toward securing Champions League qualification with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Chelsea at St. James’ Park, though not every player emerged from the match with their reputation enhanced.

While the Magpies celebrated a crucial three points, former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin singled out one Newcastle star for criticism, claiming his contribution fell far short of what the scoreline suggested.

The game began in electrifying fashion for the hosts, with Sandro Tonali firing Newcastle ahead inside the first two minutes—a goal that set the tone for a high-intensity, fast-paced encounter.

Chelsea’s task grew even more difficult when Nicolas Jackson was shown a straight red card for a reckless elbow on Sven Botman, leaving the Blues to play the majority of the match with ten men.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Enzo Maresca’s side pushed hard in the second half, forcing Eddie Howe into tactical adjustments to preserve Newcastle’s slender lead.

While the home crowd roared their team to victory, Chelsea fans directed their frustration at Anthony Gordon, who repeatedly hit the deck under challenges, much to their annoyance.

The winger, making his first start since March, proved a constant menace down the flank, exploiting Chelsea’s defensive vulnerabilities.

Yet despite the win, Nevin was unimpressed with the performance of Newcastle captain Bruno Guimarães, who had a relatively quiet game before sealing the result with a late strike deep into stoppage time.

The Brazilian’s emphatic finish sparked wild celebrations, with Guimarães hoisting the corner flag in a tribute to Newcastle legend Tino Asprilla—a nostalgic nod to the Colombian’s iconic celebration from the 1990s.

Nevin, however, was far from convinced. Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, he remarked: “Newcastle have hardly been up the pitch, and Bruno Guimarães has done very little. Yet there he is, standing in the corner like a Roman emperor, holding up the flag after scoring a worldie. The stats will say 2-0, but Newcastle have scraped through by the skin of their teeth. Chelsea will be absolutely gutted.”

The victory leaves Newcastle in a strong position to secure a top-four finish, though the nature of their performance raised questions. Guimarães, often the heartbeat of Howe’s midfield, was uncharacteristically subdued for large periods before his decisive contribution.

His tendency for flamboyant celebrations has drawn both admiration and bemusement in the past, with teammate Dan Burn previously joking about his theatrics.

Yet on this occasion, Nevin’s critique suggested that the Brazilian’s late heroics papered over an otherwise lackluster display.

For Chelsea, the defeat was another frustrating chapter in a season of inconsistency. Despite dominating possession and creating chances after the red card, they failed to capitalize, leaving their Champions League hopes hanging by a thread.

With Nottingham Forest still in contention, the Blues must now rely on other results to go their way in the final stretch of the campaign.

As for Newcastle, the win reinforces their credentials as a team capable of grinding out results under pressure. While not at their free-flowing best, they demonstrated resilience when it mattered most.

Guimarães’ late strike may have been the defining moment, but Nevin’s comments serve as a reminder that individual brilliance can sometimes mask collective imperfections.

With just two games remaining, every point is precious. Newcastle’s fate is in their own hands, but if they are to cement their place among Europe’s elite next season, they will need more than last-minute heroics to get there.