Jonjo Shelvey explains Newcastle United apology and delivers Bruno Guimaraes verdict

Jonjo Shelvey has explained his decision to issue an apology to Newcastle United fans despite helping his side to victory at Brighton. The former Liverpool playmaker has impressed in recent weeks during the Magpies' nine-match unbeaten run in the Premier League.

Eddie Howe immediately identified Shelvey as a key player in his plans following his appointment in November, and the 30-year-old has missed just one match under the new head coach so far. The midfielder's decision to issue an apology via the club's Twitter account for his first-half performance in last weekend's 2-1 home victory over Brighton was questioned by supporters.

Shelvey insists he just felt it was something he 'owed' to fans, and did not want to get drawn on whether the decision was the 'right thing' to do. Speaking after Thursday night's victory at Southampton, he told NUFC TV: "I'm obviously not on social media so I haven't got a way of communicating with the fans.

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"But I was disappointed personally with my first-half performance against Brighton, so I felt like I owed an apology to them, Whether it was the right thing or not, it is what it is.

"We won the game, got the three points and it's just about building that momentum and we've got to continue. It's about recovering, and going again on Sunday."

Shelvey delivered the assist for Chris Wood's first goal in black-and-white which drew Newcastle level at St Mary's following Stuart Armstrong's header. The stand-in captain's midfield partner Bruno Guimaraes went on to seal the latest 2-1 win with an instinctive backheel volley, and the January signing's performance was singled out for