'Man enough' - Bruno Guimaraes issues strong Newcastle United message after full-time Fulham gesture

The Magpies suffered their first defeat of the new Premier League campaign, losing 3-1 at Craven Cottage. And it was Guimaraes who was directly at fault for the third goal as he passed the ball straight to Reiss Nelson during stoppage time.

Guimaraes’ error allowed the Cottagers to put the result beyond doubt. United trailed 2-0 at half-time following goals from Raul Jimenez and Emile Smith Rowe but were given hope of a comeback when Harvey Barnes netted immediately after the restart.

The Brazilian gestured towards the travelling Geordies at full-time in what appeared to be an apology. He has now taken ownership of his actions in a social media message.

He said: “I'm man enough to own my mistakes! Tough day for all of us. But I'll never hide!”

Guimaraes - the club’s captain - wasn’t the only Magpies star to fall below par in West London with Nick Pope at fault for Smith Rowe’s second, while Fabian Schar missed a golden opportunity to make it 2-2.

Howe’s side sit sixth in the Premier League, which represents a solid start to the campaign. However, the need for improvement is evident. Newcastle beat Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers, as well as draw away to Bournemouth prior to Fulham, although the performances left a lot to be desire.

“We need to improve as a team and individually, and I'm 100% included in that,” Guimaraes continued. “Keep working for better days ahead.”

Newcastle travel to AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup third round before hosting Premier League champions Manchester City at St James’ Park in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off.