West Ham star sends classy message to Bruno Guimaraes after Newcastle United draw

It was friends reunited on Sunday afternoon as Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes and West Ham United’s Lucas Paqueta went head-to-head at the London Stadium.

While Guimaraes got the upper hand in April when the Magpies emerged as 5-1 winners, neither club could be separated this time around as they played out a 2-2 draw.

Tomas Soucek handed the Hammers an early lead but the Magpies flipped the match on its head on the hour-mark via a quick-fire brace from Swedish striker Alexander Isak.

Isak was later denied a hat-trick by the post when he rounded goalkeeper Alphonse Areola before substitute Mohammed Kudus earned West Ham a point in the 89th minute.

Indeed, there was some controversy surrounding Guimaraes in the first half. After being booked for a challenge on Emerson Palmieri, the Brazilian avoided a second yellow card moments later when he brought down James Ward-Prowse.

West Ham boss David Moyes and former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher both agreed the 25-year-old was lucky not to be sent off, not that it bothered the Brazilian pair, who exchanged messages on social media after the game.

Posting on Instagram, Guimaraes said: “It’s been wonderful weeks since we came back from the last international stop! Now it’s focussing on the national team and coming back to our team in the same way! Howay the Lads 🖤🤍3️⃣9️⃣”

Unfortunately for Paqueta, he won’t be joining Guimaraes on Brazil duty for the World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Uruguay but he still showed his class by wishing the Magpies’ midfielder well.

“My home play hard! I love you! I’m rooting for you,” said Paqueta. Guimaraes added: “Always together I love you brother! Happy to see you right now. I love you my friend.”

Guimaraes and Paqueta developed their brotherly bond during their time at Lyon together, which has continued at international level.

Not long after moving to St James’ Park in January last year, Guimaraes revealed Paqueta would be his “dream” Newcastle signing, which has contributed to Eddie Howe’s side being frequently linked to the player.

That is despite Paqueta only moving to West Ham just over 12 months and English & European champions Manchester City attempting to sign him in the summer,