That wait goes on, however a defeat mustn’t precisely have been a foregone conclusion – even when Aston Villa are flying in third place.
Newcastle have been recent from defeating PSV Eindhoven 3-0 within the Champions League in midweek.
That they had not been overwhelmed at residence within the Premier League for the reason that finish of September, scoring no less than two objectives in every of their earlier eight top-flight video games at St James’.
The hosts have been dealing with an Aston Villa aspect who had solely touched down from Istanbul within the early hours of Friday morning following their Europa League tie towards Fenerbahce.
And Howe’s males actually had their possibilities to strike.
The sport had not lengthy kicked off when Sandro Tonali weaved previous three Aston Villa gamers solely to be denied by the foot of goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, whereas fellow midfielder Lewis Miley noticed a header clawed away as his aspect pushed for an equaliser.
Howe paid tribute to the pair for having “good video games”, on a day he additionally misplaced one other Brazilian, Joelinton, to a groin damage.
However the Newcastle head coach tellingly rued the absence of one other midfielder post-match.
“It isn’t essentially a slight on them,” he mentioned. “I simply thought we missed Bruno’s ahead pondering.
“He at all times needs to cross ahead and is at all times in search of a inventive cross. You may see we missed that at this time.
“He at all times needs the ball and he is at all times demanding the ball from his team-mates. They’re large qualities, after which there’s his never-say-die spirit and perspective, too.”
There have been numerous examples.
When Newcastle have been 3-2 down towards Leeds United within the ninetieth minute earlier this month, Guimaraes scored a late penalty to attract his aspect degree earlier than they went on to, one way or the other, win the sport.
When it was goalless in matches versus Crystal Palace, Burnley, Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest, the 28-year-old opened the scoring.
Guimaraes even popped up with a late winner towards Fulham again in October.
But Newcastle by no means seemed like producing an identical second as Sunday’s recreation went on, and forwards Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade mustered only a measly shot between them.
The hosts lacked the guile to unlock a cussed defence as soon as once more within the second half – only a week after failing to search out the again of the online towards backside of the desk Wolves.
It’s value noting Guimaraes was within the aspect that afternoon.
“There is not any level me pondering we want one other sort of participant at this second as a result of it is not going to occur,” Howe mentioned.
“The following likelihood we’ll actually have to alter the squad will likely be in the summertime. It is about getting the most effective out of the gamers we’ve.”
