Eddie Howe reflects on what he watched on Saturday as it ended Newcastle 2 Fulham 1 | OneFootball

Eddie Howe watched on as his team won it late, the game ending Newcastle 2 Fulham 1.

The visitors had made it a tough contest in the middle part of the match but United started and finished the stronger side, creating more and better chances.

Eddie Howe happy with the determination and commitment shown to make it four wins in the last five matches.

The character of the team summed up by Bruno Guimaraes, captain and match winner.

Eddie Howe commenting on the contributions of Bruno and supersub Will Osula.

Whilst also great news on Sven Botman who was forced off with a head injury.

Eddie Howe reflecting on Newcastle 2 Fulham 1 and especially his captain and match winner Bruno Guimaraes:

“Bruno…I have spoken about him many times.

“But the player and the person together is a very special thing.

“His will to win, his drive, his determination to be successful is there for us every day.

“His professionalism to prepare himself to play is of the highest level and I always think you get your rewards if you do that and 90th minute, he’s still going.

“How he has ended up in the box at that moment, I’d love to see back, because there must have been a moment where he’s had to put the burners on and foresee what’s going to happen.

“But that is down to his motivation.

“So he’s a very special player and as I say, a special person and we’re lucky to have him.”

Eddie Howe on the team performance overall:

“I didn’t think that the performance was bad and I am delighted how we found a way to win.

“The strongest part of our game was the last 20 minutes, we hadn’t started the second half well.

“We needed to inject a different energy onto the pitch.

“After that (the substitutes brought on), we were the dominant team and you are just hoping you take one of those chances.

“Late goals don’t just affect the game you have won, it affects mood and belief going forward. It can have a big knock-on effect.

“We’ve had heartbreak the other way, so this felt like a massive moment for us.”

Eddie Howe on Will Osula:

“I’m really pleased with Will because he’s not one hundred per cent fit.

“He is nursing an ankle problem and so we have got to try and manage him correctly.

“But I think you have seen a big development in his game, a big change in his confidence levels, he is coming onto the pitch and influencing matches, he’s got great attributes today.

“He did really, really well to choose the right time to shoot and Leno’s made a good save, but our captain is there to finish off the move,  a massive goal for us.

“I just think there has been big growth in his game.

“He has worked tirelessly with Graeme Jones, who has done a lot of individual work with him, as have all of our coaches, but Graeme in particular.

“I think the key thing for any player is that when you come on the pitch, regardless of what minutes you get, you impress.

“I think Will has done that gradually, so I’ve entrusted him with more minutes.

“The ankle injury that he has got is slightly curtailing that because I don’t want to make that problem worse. I want him to feel really good when he comes on the pitch. So we are sort of managing that.

Eddie Howe on Sven Botman who was forced off due to a clash of heads with Lukic, when the Fulham player equalised:

“I think he is okay.

“There is no concussion there.

“It was a cut but a very good decision from the on-field physio to recommend that I take him off.”

Newcastle 2 Fulham 1 – Saturday 25 October 2025 3pm

(Stats via BBC Sport)

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Murphy 18, Bruno 90

Fulham:

Lukic 56

Possession was Newcastle 51% Fulham 49%

Total shots were Newcastle 18 Fulham 12

Shots on target were Newcastle 7 Fulham 5

Corners were Newcastle 4 Fulham 3

Touches in the box Newcastle 36 Fulham 25

Pope, Trippier, Thiaw, Botman (Schar 61), Burn, Bruno, Joelinton, Miley (Tonali 61), Gordon (Elanga 76), Woltemade (Osula 86), Murphy (Barnes 61)

Subs:

Ramsdale, Krafth, Willock, Ramsey

(3 Positives and 3 Negatives to take from Newcastle 2 Fulham 1 – Read HERE)

(BBC Sport comments from ‘neutrals’ – Interesting on Newcastle United after 2-1 Fulham win – Read HERE)