Bruno Guimaraes did not hide his anger after the 2-2 draw with Spurs - but things must change for United sooner rather than later
Newcastle United skipper Bruno Guimaraes did not look like he was in the mood to talk things over with this team-mates after coming off the bench to set the Magpies up for what would have been a valuable home win against Spurs.
Had Newcastle held on to their slender 2-1 lead at St James' Park, they would have climbed to seventh place and been within swinging distance of Sunderland who face Liverpool away tonight. Instead, they slipped back down to 13th place with inconsistency hurting United's chances of a top five finish again this season.
Bruno had came off the bench and edged Newcastle ahead with 19 minutes left in front of a relieved Gallowgate End. Holding on to 1-0 would have been sweet enough on a night when United squandered chances.
But after Cristian Romero's first equaliser, the Magpies seemed determined to do it the hard way and thought they had. On 86 minutes Anthony Gordon's penalty should have been enough but instead the stage was set for a dramatic late collapse as Romero scored again on 95 minutes.
Newcastle could not see the game out, and Bruno, who wears his heart on his sleeve, could not get down the tunnel quickly enough. The livid expression on his face said it all as the skipper did not want to share the agony with those around him.
Perhaps his post-game media duties could be deemed a get out, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that Guimaraes is frustrated with his team's lack of game management. After all, that was the FIFTH stoppage time goal conceded this term.
He told Premier League productions after the game: "I’m very unhappy. We cannot concede a bicycle goal in the last minute in our box. We lost two important points tonight at home.
"I feel like we’ve lost the game. My goal was a great moment. But I would swap that goal - I would change everything for the three points tonight.
"Everyone had to defend as if their lives depended upon it. I feel sad. I feel unhappy for the fans. It’s not the way I want us to play. Everyone is disappointed in there."
Aaron Ramsdale's brutal moment
The former Arsenal man is back between the posts for Newcastle as he looks to seize his opportunity with Nick Pope out until Boxing Day.
But unlike the League Cup win over Spurs, when he made a string of great stops, the post-game stats showed he'd failed to make a single save at St James' for the return of Thomas Frank's side.
Spurs had two shots on target and scored two goals. Ramsdale's main contribution was a decision to come for a cross but push it straight into the path of Romero.
What unfolded next only he will know as Newcastle went down like dominoes in the penalty area. A week on from Pope's error in Marseille, Ramsdale's failure to collect or clear sums up what a brutal world it can be for keepers.
Newcastle can't hold a lead
And so the Magpies blew it again after going in front against Spurs. But not for the first time this season they could not hold on to it.
Just like against Liverpool and Arsenal at home, Newcastle wasted a chance to take a victory in the top flight. It is also a recent thing for Howe though and a problem he must get to grips with.
At West Ham, Brentford and Marseille, Newcastle failed to go on and win the game. It is a habit and one United need to stamp out soon.