Newcastle United issue Sven Botman update after the defender was forced off against Fulham.
Sven Botman was forced off with a head injury as Newcastle United clinched a late 2-1 victory over Fulham at St James’ Park.
Bruno Guimaraes was the matchwinner in the 90th minute after goalkeeper Bernd Leno parried Will Osula’s shot into his path.
The Magpies took the lead in the 18th minute through Jacob Murphy before Sasa Lukic equalised near the hour mark. Eddie Howe’s side were heading for their fourth draw of the Premier League campaign until Guimaraes popped up in the box.
That marked Newcastle’s third win of the Premier League season, having won back-to-back home matches against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest.
Eddie Howe reflects on Newcastle United’s late win over Fulham
United beat Benfica 3-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday but a few days later were on the end of a late defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion. Howe’s men also lost late to Liverpool and Arsenal but were on the right side of a late winner against the Cottagers.
“Yeah, I don't think the performance was bad, definitely the result we were looking for,” Howe said. “Difficult game today, can't underestimate the challenge of Tuesday to Saturday. Emotions, playing a very difficult opponent. Delighted with how we found a way to win late goal at home.
“There's no better way to win, arguably, and I thought the strongest part of our performance was the last 20-25 minutes, half an hour, and that pleases me because that means the squad's in a good place, the attitude of the guys coming on the pitch was excellent.
“It's the best way to win for us, the players and the supporters because it's dramatic, it just gives you so much more belief winning that way. I'm not saying that's the way I want to win, but you need to find a way to win depending on the scoreline and, as you say, we've had the heartbreak of the goals going in against us.
Read More
“We've done a lot of talking about how we manage the latter part of games and I'm delighted to see the players get their rewards.
“We've seen many times, I think, historically, when you score late goals, it's not just the game that you've won that is affected, it's, hopefully for us, the mood, even the attitude when you're in that position.
“Again, there's more belief that you can find a winner, that you've got players that can decide games, so I think it has a big knock-on effect, just like we've had to battle the other way because we conceded late at times this year and you have to battle that becoming a habit. To break that today, I think, was really important.”
NUFC boss Eddie Howe provides Sven Botman injury update
Immediately after Fulham’s equaliser, Botman was forced to withdraw after clashing heads with Lukic. Fabian Schar came on for his first appearance since he sustained a concussion in the 2-1 defeat to Barcelona last month.
It was feared Botman had also sustained a concussion, meaning he’d be out for potentially 10 days, but Howe revealed that wasn’t the case.
Howe said: “I think he's okay, yeah. There's no concussion now. It was a cut, but a very good decision from the on-field physio to recommend I take him on.”
Continue Reading