Classy Guimaraes fires Newcastle past Saints

Bruno Guimaraes scored a stunning goal on his first start for Newcastle as the Magpies extended their unbeaten run in the Premier League to nine matches with a 2-1 win over Southampton at St Mary's.

Making his first start since arriving from Lyon for £40m in January, Guimaraes' exquisite second-half strike (52) proved decisive in a game that went down to the wire.

After a quiet opening, the first half burst into life when Stuart Armstrong (25) headed Southampton in front moments after Armando Broja had blazed over. James Ward-Prowse fed Kyle Walker-Peters on the left-hand side and the full-back's cross was headed back into the six-yard box by Mohamed Elyounoussi, where Armstrong was on hand to bundle the ball over the line with the help of a deflection off Dan Burn.

Seven minutes later, though, and Newcastle were level through Chris Wood (32). The striker lost his marker Mohammed Salisu and rose highest to send a powerful header past Fraser Forster for his first goal for the club since arriving from Burnley. The hosts responded well before the break as Che Adams' thunderous strike cannoned back off the bar, but the second half belonged to one man.

On 52 minutes, Matt Targett's corner found Burn at the far post. The centre-back headed back into a dangerous area, where Guimaraes was on hand to expertly backheel the ball beyond a helpless Forster. It was a classy performance from the Brazilian before his substitution on 66 minutes, when he deservedly received a standing ovation from the away fans.

Southampton pushed for an equaliser but Salisu and Armstrong's late efforts were expertly saved by Martin Dubravka as the visitors held on. The result extends Newcastle's unbeaten run in the Premier League to nine matches and