Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes described teammate Nick Pope as “the best goalkeeper in the world” after his role in helping the team secure a 1-0 win at Southampton in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final on Tuesday.
Joelinton's 73rd-minute finish earned Newcastle the advantage at St Mary's Stadium ahead of next Tuesday's reverse fixture at St James' Park, after the Brazilian had earlier missed a sitter to put his side in front.
The Magpies created the better chances, but the visitors will also be grateful to Pope, who made two crucial saves on Southampton forward Che Adams when the score was still goalless. It was Pope's 10th successive clean sheet in all competitions.
“I want to thank Nick Pope, I think he's the best goalkeeper in the world,” said Brazilian midfielder Guimaraes, who added that Newcastle must now refocus for the second leg.
“We controlled the game but we missed big chances. It's just the first game now we need to think about the next one. I'm proud of the team today.
“One goal is important, we could score more but most important was to be one-goal in front of Southampton. Let's keep it going.”
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe echoed Guimaraes' praise for former Burnley stopper Pope, telling Sky Sports: “We defended well, Nick made some big saves again.
“The two saves he made were big moments. Adams' one-on-one was at a huge time in the game when they were growing into it and the crowd were getting up but Nick stepped up and kept us in it.
Southampton v Newcastle player ratings
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SOUTHAMPTON RATINGS: Gavin Bazunu 7: Left with bloody nose after first-half collision with Almiron. No shots on target until just before half-time when he saved well from Willock. No chance with goal. Rounded by Isak late on but did enough to push attacker wide of goal. Getty -
Kyle Walker-Peters 7: Started at right-back and had his hands full dealing with Willock’s surging runs in first half, in which he was also booked for delaying free-kick. Came much more into game as attacking threat in second half. Became final member of Saints back four to pick up booking. Reuters -
Lyanco 7: Brazilian defender helped keep Wilson very quiet and played well at heart of Southampton defence. Booked for pushing over countryman Guimaraes. Reuters -
Duje Caleta-Car 4: Croatian defender booked for cynical late challenge on Almiron just before half-hour mark. Left for dead by Isak ahead of Joelinton’s goal. Shown second yellow for bringing down Saint-Maximin. Reuters -
Mohammed Salisu 8: Vital interception on Longstaff with Newcastle midfielder poised to shoot in 11th minute and produced another to block Wilson after Bazunu had saved from Willock. AFP -
Amad Diallo 8: Very tidy in midfield, broke play up well and nice distribution for midfielder on loan from Manchester United. PA -
Carlos Alcaraz 7: Making his first start since moving from Argentine side Racing Club, but picked up first booking after little over half-an-hour for pulling back Guimaraes. Dipping drive from distance almost caught out Pope. Reuters -
Moussa Djenepo 5: Scored in shock win over Manchester City in previous round, but seemed to be focus of his manager Nathan Jones’ frustrations here. Flicks not coming off, holding on to ball too long and was then wiped out by Pope challenge and came off with concussion in first-half injury-time. Reuters -
James Ward-Prowse 6: Playing higher up the pitch under new manager but couldn’t get any time on ball in opening 45 minutes where Newcastle dominated possession. More into the game second half. Usual dead-ball nightmare for opposition. Getty -
Mislav Orsic 5: Croatian winger making his Saints debut but found himself up against the meanest defence in the Premier League and barely got a kick. Getty -
Sekou Mara 5: The other goalscorer against Man City never had sniff of goal until five minutes into second half – but that was spectacular over-head kick that went well wide. Got little joy out of Schar or Botman. Reuters -
SUBS: Adam Armstrong (On for Djenepo 45+3’) 6: Early introduction due to Djenepo concussion for former Newcastle attacker. Good attacking run just before the hour to beat Burn but shot high and wide. Thought he’d levelled for Saints but disallowed for handball. Getty -
Che Adams (On for Mara 57’) 6: Found himself clean through not long after coming on but denied by boot of Pope. Then had shot on turn saved by Newcastle keeper. Getty -
Samuel Edozie (On for Orsic 57’) 7: Caused Newcastle, and Trippier in particular, problems after coming on. Getty -
Romeo Lavia (On for Diallo 82’) N/A. PA Jan Bednarek (On for Walker-Peters 88’) N/A. -
NEWCASTLE RATINGS: Nick Pope 8: First save came just before break from dipping Alcaraz strike that bounced just in front of keeper. Two good stops from substitute Adams after break and yet another clean-sheet. PA -
Kieran Trippier 7: Brilliant exchange of passes with Almiron before sending over perfect cross that Willock ballooned over bar. Found substitute Edozie a handful and was booked for second foul on flying Saints attacker. Reuters -
Fabian Schar 8: Looked like his night be finishing early due to knock on knee but able to carry on and produce the sort of quality defensive performance that he has throughout this season so far. Reuters -
Sven Botman 7: Another game without defeat, another clean sheet for Dutch defender. Side-footed chance into side netting as Newcastle piled on pressure at start of second half. Reuters -
Dan Burn 7: Left-back immense again for his home-town club and the Newcastle back-four continues to be very hard break down. Getty -
Bruno Guimaraes 8: Seemed like Brazilian was everywhere. Tracking back and offering protection to defenders, setting up attacks at other end of pitch. In the thick of a few fracas with Southampton players after break. AP -
Sean Longstaff 7: Flashed inviting low balls across six-yard box in opening few minutes. Blasted glorious chance over bar just after break, a familiar sight for Magpies fans in recent games. Great engine, shame he has no composure in front of goal. PA -
Joe Willock 6: Sent woeful finish high over bar after two minutes, then did the same half-an-hour later with first-time volley. Much better finish saved by Bazunu at end of his won surging run just before break. AFP -
Joelinton 7: Had ball in net five minutes before break but disallowed for handball, then somehow managed to put very easy chance over bar from few metres out just after break. Redemption arrived when he side-footed home in 73rd minute. Reuters -
Miguel Almiron 8: Paraguayan’s pace and partnership with Trippier caused Saints plenty of problems. Two fantastic runs and balls into box at start of second half that should have resulted in goals for Longstaff and Joelinton – but both fired over. Reuters -
Callum Wilson 4: Without a goal since October and never looked like changing that here. Only touched ball 15 times, looks off the pace and short of confidence. AFP -
SUBS: Alexander Isak (On for Wilson 57’) 7: Fine run down right before putting chance on plate for Joelinton to score. Rounded keeper in injury-time but could only shoot into side-netting from very tight angle. Reuters -
Allan Saint-Maximin (On for Willock 57’) 7: Massive impact after coming on with trademark runs causing chaos in opposition defence. Newcastle have not seen much of that this season and will be hoping to see much more of it next couple of months. Getty -
Jacob Murphy (On for Almiron 78’) N/A. Fired one shot into side netting. Reuters
“He's been outstanding for us this year, the defence has played very well in front of him but when called upon he's delivered for us.”
Howe was also keen to stress to his players that the tie is far from over as Newcastle aim to take a step closer to their first major domestic trophy since winning the FA Cup in 1955.
“Tough game, both sides had their moments and had chances to win the game, but we know it's only half time and there's a long way to go,” he said. “Pleased to win, that was our aim but we know 1-0 is delicate — nothing is decided. We go back to St James' with our fans behind us.”
Despite the defeat, Southampton manager Nathan Jones said he was “proud” of his players and believes that whatever the outcome of the tie, the team can carry their performance forward to help drag them out of relegation danger. Southampton are currently bottom of the Premier League table, two points from safety.
“I am really proud of the level of performance,” Jones said. “They are a top side; big, physical and athletic. They have had time to recruit and they are a real tough side to play against.
“I thought we were excellent. They had a couple of big chances and we had a couple of big chances. For us to compete and be like we were, it shows we have come a long way and in the second half we went after the game. We really stepped it up.
“We just lacked a little bit of quality in terms of wide areas, once we get that confidence and get one or two in we will be a different threat.”
