Newcastle United increase their unbeaten run to nine games with a stunning Bruno Guimaraes backheel volley. The exceptional effort proved to be the decisive goal that beat Southampton 2-1at St Mary's on Thursday evening. 

In his first start for Newcastle, Guimaraes provided the winning goal which separated two evenly matched sides on the night.

Stuart Armstrong opened the scoring, with a deflected header trickling past Martin Dubravka. 

It was only six minutes later before Chris Wood headed home the equaliser. Wood rose perfectly to guide home a delicious Jonjo Shelvey cross past Fraser Forster. 

Southampton responded well before half-time as striker Che Adams had a stupendous volley, cannon back off the bar. The two teams ended the first half on even terms, with the Magpies perhaps a little lucky to be.

However, the second half belonged to Bruno, and with 52 minutes gone, Matt Targett's corner found big Dan Burn at the far post. In a move from the training ground the centre-back headed back into the fray, and Bruno was there to try something special and with such flair, backheel the ball past Forster. 

Now can we talk about Bruno? 

Bruno Guimaraes many have waited for the Brazilian to be given his chance in this team and with the absence of Joelinton. Bruno slotted in right where the number seven would normally play. To say his presence wasn't noticed was an understatement. 

Bruno was a force in terms of his passing and sharpness around the pitch. His tackling and pressures off the balls weren't up to the standard of Joelinton with a meagre 38 per cent success rate. But when you are up against two top midfielders in James Ward-Prowse and Oriol Romeu who are in the top five per cent of ball retention in the entire Premier League it is going to be a struggle. 

For Bruno, it wasn't flashy but fans who saw it would have enjoyed the flicks, various nutmegs and audacious balls over the top. The January signing then showed his class with his backheel to top off a top performance with an exquisite goal. A truly fine player that adds to this beautiful group of talented footballers who currently bleed the black and white. 

The manager of the month prevails

As was officially announced Friday March 11 Eddie Howe successfully won February's manager of the month. 

Howe deserves it with three wins and a draw. The success means the Magpies boss has now won the award four times. It also means Howe is the youngest manager to win the award four times. At age 44 Howe surpasses another Newcastle legend in Kevin Keegan won achieved the same success back in 1995. 

Against Southampton, Howe had to deal with changes to his team with three substitutes being used to full effect. Fabian Schar looked uncomfortable throughout the match and needed nursing in a certain way.  The overall game plan had to be different to the usual possession heavy football Howe expects. 

The gaffer knew this before going into the match and utilised the pace on the wings and solid core in the centre of midfield. Opposition fans will surely say it was a wonder goal that, secured all three points for Newcastle. To those, Howe will surely point out the fact the move for Bruno's ‘wondergoal’ was a training ground scripted corner. 

Howe deserves this award and the victory over Southampton he deserves special credit for. Howe far can he take this team? 

What a difference a year can make

A year ago this week we saw the leaks about a training ground bust-up and senior players arguing with head coach Steve Bruce to the weekly update pictures with players all celebrating together.

It is press relations and brilliant, but of course, it looks like Newcastle have won the league and when January signing Kieran Trippier is photoshopping himself into the picture because he couldn't travel it shows how far this team has come. 

 When you look at them all every week there is no sense in smiling and saying "these are our boys." Everything that goes on in the world weekly, every week those 23 lads sacrifice everything for the thousands of us that call Newcastle United our team. A picture truly says a thousand words.