Newcastle United issue official Bruno Guimaraes injury update ahead of Aston Villa clash - 'a worry for us'
Bruno Guimaraes went off injured during Newcastle United’s 3-0 win over PSV Eindhoven.
Newcastle United guaranteed a place in the Champions League knockout rounds with a 3-0 win over PSV Eindhoven.
Yoane Wissa and Anthony Gordon scored in the first-half after the PSV defence was pressed into mistakes, before Harvey Barnes added a third on the hour-mark after going on a solo run.
The victory ensured Newcastle of a play-off spot and kept alive their hopes of finishing inside the top eight ahead of next Wednesday’s trip to current holders Paris Saint-Germain.
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Eddie Howe reacts to Newcastle United’s 3-0 win over PSV Eindhoven
Wissa opened the scoring eight minutes in. A poor clearance by goalkeeper Matej Kovar was picked up by Bruno Guimaraes and his pass to Joelinton saw the Brazilian square the ball to Wissa.
The goal was subject to a VAR check because in an earlier phase of the move, Wissa was in an offside position, but not when the ball came to him. Referee Daniel Siebert was sent to the pitch-side monitor and swiftly determined that the goal should stand.
Wissa turned provider on half-hour mark when he robbed Yarek Gasiorowski of possession to set up Gordon, who tapped into an empty net for his sixth Champions League goal of the season.
Barnes then added a third in the 65th minute to score his fifth Champions League goal and his 12th of the season in all competitions.
Reflecting on the win, Howe said: “Yeah, great performance from the lads, I thought. Really good energy today from not just the players but the supporters as well. I thought there was a really good feeling in the ground as the teams came out.
“A different atmosphere for these nights and I can't thank the crowd enough for the support, the love they gave the players, I think that really, really helped us.I thought our energy was good because of it.
“Our pressing was excellent. Our athleticism was really good and played a big part in our performance, I thought.”
Newcastle United issue official Bruno Guimaraes update
The only downside to the evening was losing captain Guimaraes to an ankle injury on the brink of half-time. The 28-year-old went down earlier in the half and tried to play on.
Providing an update, Howe said: “Yeah, a little bit sore. It's an ankle problem. A little bit of swelling in his ankle. Having just seen him, we hope it's not serious. Difficult to know.
“I think Bruno is the type of player that never wants to come off. He always wants to play, so the fact he has come off is a worry for us. We'll do everything we can to get him fit as quickly as possible.”
Guimaraes is a doubt heading into Sunday’s Premier League clash at home to Aston Villa.