Bruno Guimaraes fires in a shot during Newcastle United's win over Ipswich Town _(Image: Bradley Collyer/PA)_
EDDIE HOWE claims Bruno Guimaraes’ new role with [Newcastle United](http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/football/newcastle) enables him to play a more pivotal role in the team’s pressing, and enables him to make the kind of challenges that set up Alexander Isak’s second goal in yesterday’s 4-0 win at Ipswich Town.
With Sandro Tonali having been moved in the deeper-lying midfield role Guimaraes was filling earlier in the season, the Brazilian has found himself stationed higher up the pitch in the last few games.
His new position makes him more of an attacking threat, and also means he is able to aggressively press the opposition much higher up the pitch.
That paid dividends at Portman Road, with Guimaraes nicking the ball off Jens Cajuste after Arijanet Muric had played the Ipswich midfielder into trouble, with Isak slotting home after the ball then broke into his path.
“I think Bruno’s always been tactically very good,” said Howe. “He’s also always been very good at the long-distance runs that he does, and he had to do many in his other position as well.
“He’s very good at nicking balls off people and breaking up play, and that was key for the goal that Alex scored.
“The big challenge, for any player that goes forward to press, is that they have to go the other way too. That’s a challenge for anybody, but considering it was the third game in a week, I thought that all of our attacking players did really well.
**READ MORE**:
“They got back behind the ball and made it difficult for Ipswich to penetrate us. Full credit to Bruno, it was another good performance from him.”
The win at Ipswich rounded off an excellent week for Newcastle that also included a 4-0 league win over Leicester City and a Carabao Cup victory over Brentford that set up a two-legged semi-final against Arsenal.
The Magpies climbed to seventh position with their win at Portman Road, just two points adrift of fifth-placed Aston Villa, who they host on Boxing Day, with Howe delighted to see his side building some real momentum.
“I think the players are delivering to a very good level now,” he said. “I think the balance of the team looks really strong, currently.
“I thought Sandro was magnificent again at the heart of the team, he gave us a real stability and control. I could pick several players out who performed really well (against Ipswich), and that’s when you know you’ve given a really good account of yourself.”