Bruno Guimaraes was on song as Newcastle United ended their Premier League campaign on a high.
Eddie Howe’s side just needed to beat Brentford and they would have secured a top-seven finish and a possible place in Europe next season.
Newcastle did their job by putting four goals past the London club, with Bruno Guimaraes supplying two assists and also getting on the scoresheet.
They now have to wait for the result of Manchester City’s FA Cup final showdown against Manchester United at Wembley.
If Pep Guardiola’s side, who won the Premier League title for the fourth time in a row on Sunday, secure the win, then the Toon Army faithful will be on another European tour and playing Europa Conference League football next season.
During this campaign, two pundits, namely Danny Murphy and Simon Jordan, fired shots at Guimaraes and his capability in the middle of the park – Guimaraes is being scouted by Real Madrid and PSG.
Both suggested on talkSPORT in February, after Newcastle beat Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup, that the 26-year-old doesn’t have the athleticism to play in midfield.
Jordan asked back in Feb: “Do you think there is an issue with Guimaraes’ athleticism?”
To which Murphy responded: “Yes, absolutely. That’s what will stop him being one of the best because everything else in his game is superb. A great passer. Technically gifted. But he’s not a great athlete. I feel for him because I was the same – Guimaraes needs real athletes around him to shine. Normally, they have got it with Joelinton, Willock and Longstaff. Normally, they surround him with amazing legs, so you see the best of him.”
Guimaraes was sure to respond to this once the season was over via a message from his Instagram story.
Bruno Guimaraes responds to claims he isn’t athletic
Sky Sports were showing a graphic of seasons high. From top goalscorer (Erling Haaland) to most passes (Rodri).
There was also one on the player with the most ‘distance covered’ and that belonged to the Brazil star (423km).
He posted that image, alongside the words ‘he isn’t athletic’ added with a thumbs up and laughing emoji. Clearly a subtle dig at those critics.
Newcastle United cheering on Manchester City
There have been a lot of fans cheering on other teams during these past few weeks, even bitter rivals, so that their club can get the result they desire.
Arsenal cheered on Tottenham, but watched them lose to Manchester City and also watched West Ham United go down the same road on the final day of the campaign.
READ MORE: Exclusive: Why Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle United & Aston Villa have been ‘shocked’ by Nico Williams
Newcastle will have their Manchester City caps on for the FA Cup final because a win for Guardiola’s side against Manchester United and another season of Europe is secured.
Yes, it’s not the high of Champions League football, but it would still be back-to-back campaigns in Europe and it has been a long time since that happened.
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