Bruno Guimaraes defended by Eddie Howe after ‘heart in mouth’ moment at Newcastle United

Eddie Howe was one of the thousands of Newcastle United fans with their heart in their mouth during stoppage time on Saturday.

With Brighton and Hove Albion pushing for an equaliser, £35million January signing Bruno Guimaraes was evidently the calmest man inside St James’ Park.

In possession in his own penalty box with at least three Brighton players around him, the home crowd frantically yelled for the Brazilian hoof the ball forward.

The 24-year-old, however, showed composure at the highest order to retain the ball before running the clock down by winning a free-kick.

Not long after, the full-time whistle was blown as the Magpies won for the fifth time in six matches following decisive goals from Ryan Fraser and Fabian Schar.

It was also Guimaraes’ fifth appearance for the club since his transfer from Lyon, all of which have come as a substitute.

Bruno leaves Eddie Howe with heart in mouth

“In every cameo he has given so far, he has used the ball very well, that’s him,” Howe told reporters after the 2-1 win. “He has shown what he will bring.

“He’s played a couple of lovely passes to Maxi (Allan Saint-Maximin). They have built a nice little relationship already.

“My heart was in my mouth mind you when he performed that little pirouette on the touchline! But that is Bruno, he is an out-and-out footballer.

“He also won the ball back for us at a couple of key moments from a defensive perspective. He can certainly do a bit of everything, he’s not a luxury player.”

When will Bruno make his first Newcastle start?

Certainly, to show that kind of composure suggests the making of a top-class player.

Establishing such tag is exactly what Guimaraes is expected to do having attracted interest from Europe’s biggest clubs before his Tyneside switch.

It’s been somewhat surprising that the midfielder is yet to start a game for United but that is largely down to the excellent form of Joelinton, Joe Willock and Jonjo Shelvey.

With three consecutive away games on the horizon - starting with Southampton on Thursday night, a first start for Guimaraes is edging ever closer.