Newcastle United battled to a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Fulham in the Premier League, and it was captain Bruno Guimaraes who delivered the decisive moment in the dying minutes at St James’ Park.
The match had its fair share of drama, missed chances, and moments of brilliance, with the Magpies once again showing the kind of determination that has come to define Eddie Howe’s side in recent seasons.
From the first whistle, Newcastle looked up for the fight. Their pressing was sharp, and they managed to unsettle Fulham early on. The breakthrough came in the 18th minute when Jacob Murphy seized upon a poor pass from Calvin Bassey.
Murphy showed great composure as he drove forward and slotted the ball past Bernd Leno to give the home side a deserved 1-0 lead. The crowd roared with approval, and St James’ Park was buzzing with energy.
However, the momentum shifted later in the first half and early into the second. Murphy, who had been one of the brightest players in the opening stages, missed a golden chance to double Newcastle’s advantage after finding himself in a near-identical position to his earlier goal. That miss would prove costly as Fulham grew into the game.
The visitors eventually found their equaliser when substitute Kevin delivered a dangerous cross from the left.
Raul Jimenez struck the bar, and Sasa Lukic reacted quickest to nod the rebound home, leaving Nick Pope helpless. It was a disappointing moment for Newcastle, who had worked hard to keep control.
After conceding, the Magpies needed a spark. Eddie Howe turned to his bench, introducing William Osula, Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes, and Fabian Schar all of whom added energy and intent to the side.
Osula, in particular, made an instant impact with his direct running and hunger to press high up the pitch.
As the game entered its final moments, Osula once again drove into Fulham’s box, forcing Leno into a low save. The rebound fell perfectly for Bruno Guimaraes, who smashed home from close range to seal a dramatic late winner for Newcastle.
It was a captain’s goal a moment that underlined both leadership and determination. The roar from the Gallowgate End said it all; Newcastle had done it the hard way, but they had done it nonetheless.
It wasn’t the most polished performance from Howe’s side, but the resilience and fighting spirit were there for all to see.
The win not only gave them three crucial points but also reignited confidence after some inconsistent recent displays.
Here are the player ratings from Newcastle’s 2-1 win over Fulham:
Nick Pope – 7
Made key saves in the first half and remained composed under pressure. Couldn’t do much about the equaliser but provided stability at the back.
Kieran Trippier – 7
Solid performance and good leadership from the right flank. Controlled the tempo when needed and defended strongly.
Malick Thiaw – 8
Composed, confident, and commanding. His positioning and distribution were excellent. A standout performance that earned him Man of the Match.
Sven Botman – 6
Struggled to find rhythm before being forced off due to a head injury.
Dan Burn – 7
Battled hard as always, winning key duels and putting his body on the line for the team.
Joelinton – 8
Powerful and passionate in midfield. His physicality and determination set the tone for Newcastle’s fightback.
Bruno Guimaraes – 8
Not his sharpest game technically, but his will to win was unmatched. Stepped up when it mattered most with the crucial winner.
Lewis Miley – 6
Unable to replicate his Benfica form and was substituted after Fulham’s equaliser. Still showed glimpses of promise.
Anthony Gordon – 6
Worked hard but didn’t quite reach his recent high standards. Faded as the game went on.
Jacob Murphy – 6
Took his early goal superbly but struggled to maintain influence after missing a big chance before halftime.
Nick Woltemade – 6
Showed clever movement and hit the post early on, but overall impact was limited.
Substitutes:
Harvey Barnes (Murphy 61) – 7
Injected fresh energy and creativity from the wing, helping Newcastle regain attacking intent.
Fabian Schar (Botman 61) – 7
Brought calmness and composure to the defence, crucial late on.
Sandro Tonali (Miley 61) – 7
Looked composed despite illness. Controlled possession and added balance in midfield.
Anthony Elanga (Gordon 76) – N/A
Had little time to make a real impact but was lively in attack.
William Osula (Woltemade 86) – N/A
The real difference-maker late on. His energy and pressing created the chaos that led to Bruno’s winning goal.
Overall, this was a performance defined not by dominance but by determination. Newcastle didn’t have it all their way, but the character and heart they showed ensured another vital three points — and a reminder that sometimes, grit wins games just as much as flair.
