New dad Bruno Guimaraes put two sleepless nights behind him to help Newcastle United to a 2-1 victory at Tottenham, saying the soaring Magpies “make me happy and proud”.
The Brazilian playmaker shone in north London where goals from Callum Wilson and Miguel Almiron put Newcastle into a 2-0 interval lead, with Harry Kane then trimming that advantage in the second half.
Only Kieran Trippier played more passes and had more touches among the visiting players than Guimaraes, whose first full season at Newcastle is starting strongly, with the Magpies climbing to fourth in the Premier League.
Guimaraes lasted until the 89th minute when Jonjo Shelvey came on in his place, having played a key role in the Newcastle effort.
Have been an amazing week for me! Proud of what we are doing! We are top 4 right now! Need to keep going, boys. Thanks for your support away our home 🖤🤍🫶🏽3️⃣9️⃣ @NUFC pic.twitter.com/Wfivn1MT03
— Bruno Guimarães (@brunoog97) October 23, 2022
Having announced the birth of son Matteo on Friday night, Guimaraes insisted on playing for Newcastle less than 48 hours later.
He told Sky Sports: “They’ve been amazing days for me, to become a father for the first time. It’s been incredible. I’ve had two days without sleep. I would stay home, but I love to be here with these guys. They make me happy and proud, and I think we deserved it today.”
Speaking about what fatherhood meant to him, he added: “It was one of the best days of my life. I’m very happy and proud. It’s been like a dream. I don’t have words because it’s amazing what has happened in my life.
“I say thanks to my family. It’s been difficult, but it’s all worth it.”
Newcastle, under head coach Eddie Howe and their Saudi ownership, are upwardly mobile in the English game for the first time in a long time.
That is exemplified by the fact just three players have featured for 700-plus minutes in this season’s Premier League and not been on the losing side when featuring in a game: Newcastle’s Guimaraes, Sven Botman and Fabian Schar.
Newcastle have lost just once in 12 games, going down 2-1 at Liverpool in late August. Botman and Schar were unused substitutes that day and Guimaraes was not involved.
This is for you guys! Two days without sleep could be at home but I always wanted to be here with you! Thanks for the support and a kiss from Matteo to you!! He is Brazilian Geordie 🖤🤍🫶🏽 pic.twitter.com/2k0fEnYh9V
— Bruno Guimarães (@brunoog97) October 23, 2022
Source: Livescore