Fulham 0 Newcastle 1: Toon fans convinced Bruno Guimaraes will snub transfer after goalscorer’s passionate celebration
A TREE FELL over outside Craven Cottage just minutes before full time blocking nearby Inglethorpe Street.
It could well have been in shock at Newcastle winning for only the fourth time on the road in the Premier League this season – their first away victory since February.
They may not be turning over a new leaf but the fact stands thanks to Bruno Guimaraes’s second half thunderbolt, which separated two sides struggling to find a finish.
The midfielder’s laser-like blast from the edge of the box means Eddie Howe’s injury ravaged Toon Army finish a tough week with seven points from nine games.
They also keep the pressure on for the run-in to the European places.
It was hardly a classic but when needed most, the Brazilian stepped up with a rare moment of class to claim all three points.
Guimaraes is on the radar for a number of prowling big clubs. Paris St.Germain, Arsenal and Manchester City all linked with £100 million moves for him in the summer.
Boss Howe admits he is powerless to stop the speculation and the interest. Just as Fulham keeper Bernd Leno was powerless to block the shot which made all the difference.
Newcastle would have moved into seventh and the European places had Wolves’ late equaliser against West Ham been allowed to stand.
Fulham’s home form has been their saviour this season with nine wins, contributing 27 points to the total of 39.
Even though Craven Cottage is hardly the most menacing of grounds, Tottenham, Arsenal, and West Ham have been among the victims.
So it was no surprise when Silva’s side got off to a positive start with all the pressure being orchestrated by Willian the Brazilian and his trickery.
Andrea Perreira, Palhinha and Tom Cairney all going close within half an hour but without making a breakthrough.
Newcastle, depleted by injuries and patchy form, were under the cosh, taking 32 minutes to even get a sniff of goal when Alexander Isak was put through.
But Toon’s in-form striker was comfortably beaten to the ball by Fulham keeper Bernd Leno. Anthony Gordon fired just wide moments later as the visitors at last started to gain some momentum.
With keeper Martin Dubravka already down twice with knocks, Newcastle were wobbly at the back.
So it was hearts in the mouth time when Fabian Schar handed possession on a plate to Fulham on the edge of his area just before the break.
Perreira and Rodrigo Muniz shared a one-two but the latter’s shot was smothered by Dubravka from close range as he soldiered on.
Silva set a record in midweek with the earliest triple substitution in Premier League history by hooking Alex Iwobi, Sasa Lukic and Harry Wilson in the 33rd minute of Fulham’s dismal 3-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest.
Only Iwobi of the ill-fated trio earned a reprieve with a recall to the starting line up to face Newcastle. The other two were relegated to the bench.
Silva performed another triple swap in the 64th minute in a bid to inject some freshness into flagging Fulham.
Lukic, Wilson and Adama Traore came on, but it was VAR which came to the home team’s rescue 15 minutes from time.
Gordon’s cross from a recycled corner cleared a crowd of heads and landed perfectly for Schar to smash home from five yards.
But it was ruled out after a check with Dan Burn adjudged to have fouled Calvin Bassey during the melee.
Five minutes later Newcastle got the goal that finally put clear daylight between the two sides.
A crafty flick from Toon sub Elliott Anderson released Harvey Barnes down the left flank. His cross was cleared by Antonee Robinson. But only as far as Guimaraes who put his full power behind a ferocious drive right through a ruck of legs and into the back of the net.
Fulham piled forwards in a bid to grab a leveller and normally would be odds on to get something from a game on their own turf.
But in nine minutes of added time, Newcastle fended off the pressure and held on for a precious victory to keep them in the hunt for a return to European football next season.
After Guimaraes late strike, Newcastle fans were delighted to see their talisman kissing the badge.
One fan wrote: “Bruno pointing to the badge as well. You absolutely love to see it.”
A second shared: “The way Bruno kissed that badge. He’s not going anywhere.”
The Brazil international was cryptic about his future at full-time.
He said: “I hope to stay much longer. I don’t know what the future brings let’s see, but I hope to play much more for Newcastle United.”
