Allan Saint-Maximin’s two-word response to Bruno Guimaraes’ Newcastle United apology

Bruno Guimaraes has apologised for missing his penalty in Newcastle United’s Carabao Cup shootout win over Crystal Palace. Nick Pope was the hero as the Brazilian and Sven Botman failed to convert from 12 yards.

Guimaraes, brought on as a 66th-minute substitute, was unable to help United break down Palace’s defence and the third round tie was forced to be decided by penalties. Nick Pope saved Luka Milivojevic and Jean-Philippe Mateta’s efforts which teed up the 24-year-old for the decisive spot-kick.

However, Guimaraes, following a long run-up, skied his effort but his blushes were spared when Pope again stepped up to deny Malcolm Ebiowei to send Newcastle into the last 16.

Although United progressed, Guimaraes felt he needed to issue heartfelt apology. And in the same thread, the midfielder hailed teammate Pope as “one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League”.

“It’s about being a hero and a villain, always living the good side of history,” Guimaraes tweeted. “I’m tired of taking decisive penalties and doing and today for the first time I had the misfortune of missing my first penalty, horrible feeling!

“Anyone who knows me knows how much I charge myself and how hard I work not to make mistakes. But so is football. I will continue to train and do my best to minimise mistakes. I would like to apologise to my teammates and the fans and congratulate them.

“(Nick Pope) that’s why you are one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League! We continue together in pursuit of our goals.”

Allan Saint-Maximin simply replied saying “the best [white heart emoji}.

On Guimaraes’ penalty miss, head coach Eddie Howe added: “He cares so much and he wants to do the best for the team. Everyone can miss a penalty and he’s not immune to that. We’ll pick him up, he’ll be fine.

“I thought he did very well when he came on the pitch and as I said, the guys that entered the pitch really did make a difference for us and gave us control and ability to break lines and cause Crystal Palace more problems than we had during the majority of the game.”