Howe hails Newcastle ‘leader’ after win over Nottingham Forest – and provides update on injured star | OneFootball

Eddie Howe hailed Newcastle’s “leader” Bruno Guimaraes after he scored with a stunning strike to help his side beat Nottingham Forest 2-0.

Guimaraes gave his side the lead on 58 minutes before Nick Woltemade continued his impressive start to life at the club by converting a late penalty.

“It was a huge win for us,” Howe said. “We’ve done really well to recover from the Arsenal game and refocus on two really important matches. It was vital we won today.

“We played some really good football in both halves against tough opponents. The group are always so professional and hungry to win.

“He’s (Guimaraes) capable of that and he’s a goal threat when we get him higher up the pitch. It was a brilliant long range finish.

“He’s been such a dependable player and been such a leader for us in terms of standards and quality.”

Newcastle’s £73.5m summer signing Nick Woltemade has hit the ground running for Newcastle, scoring four times in seven appearances for the Magpies.

He stepped up to the spot in the 84th minute, doubling Newcastle’s lead and putting the game out of reach for the visitors. On Woltemade, Howe had high praise again: “I thought he showed real composure and confidence and that’s a great sign for him.

“He’s made such a positive impression around the training ground and also delivered on the pitch. I think today was arguably his best game, so I’m really pleased for him.”

Eddie Howe also issued an update on Lewis Hall, who missed out on the matchday squad due to injury. “He felt his hamstring against Union [Saint-Gilloise] which was a real blow for us. We’ve been trying to manage him back but unfortunately he felt something in that game.

“We’ve had it scanned but before we get conclusive evidence of how long he’ll be out he needs another scan in about 10 days. It’s not going to be a short term injury, we hope it won’t be a long term injury but we just don’t know yet.”

Howe also says Jacob Ramsey trained ahead of the game following his injury but that he did not want to risk him.

Anthony Elanga suited up for the first time against his former club this afternoon, and has been a standout signing for Newcastle since his arrival on Tyneside in July. “It’s been a good start for him [to Newcastle life]. He’s different to players we’ve had in that position previously,” Howe said.

“He’s a threat and every opposition team we’ve played against will have felt that. He can get better and improve and there’s so much more to come from him.”

On the momentum Newcastle have began to build, Howe said: “We’ve done really well at building momentum and that’s what we have to do to be successful this year, no one makes it easy for you.”

“What happened last year [the Carabao Cup win] is now history and now we’re determined to create new history.”