Eddie Howe hopes Bruno Guimaraes was not bidding Newcastle a fond farewell after scoring the goal which clinched seventh place.
Guimaraes capped a 4-2 win at Brentford with a late strike and celebrated in front of the away fans in a Toon bucket hat.
The Brazil midfielder, linked with a move away this summer, then spent a long time waving to the travelling support after the final whistle.
“I don’t think it’s a wave goodbye,” said Magpies boss Howe. “I think Bruno probably does that many times.
“But I think it can be interpreted in a way if people watching decide that to be the case.
“Certainly from my side, I hope it’s not. He’s integral to what we are doing. He’s an inspirational player and we are desperate to keep him.”
A wild afternoon saw Newcastle sweep into a 3-0 lead at half-time through goals from Harvey Barnes, Jacob Murphy and Alexander Isak.
Vitaly Janelt and Yoane Wissa hauled Brentford back into the match before Magpies favourite Guimaraes settled it when he tucked in the rebound from Isak’s free-kick.
It was a goal which means that if Manchester City win the FA Cup final next weekend, Newcastle will be back in Europe in the Europa Conference League.
“I think it’s been a season of progression even if the league position tells me different,” said Howe. “I couldn’t be happier with where we are. But that has to continue.”
Howe was without winger Anthony Gordon due to an ankle injury which will also keep him out of the club’s post-season tour to Australia and potentially make him a doubt for England’s Euro 2024 squad.
“He had a scan after the Manchester United game,” added Howe.
“I don’t think it’s serious, but it was enough to keep him out of today and Australia.”
Brentford, for their part, finished 16th in their third season in the Premier League.
“I think it’s a successful season – how do we define success is always a good question – but for me success is every year we are in the Premier League with our size and our budget,” said boss Thomas Frank.
“We are creating small miracles because over a long time we have a top structure and culture, and have been out-performing bigger clubs.
“I want more, we want more, to improve and develop and I am an optimistic guy. I can only dream of what could have been achieved with a more normal injury record. I’m excited for the future.”
Ivan Toney, whose goal drought stretched to 12 matches, is widely expected to leave Brentford this summer.
But Frank insisted: “I’d like to keep him. I know there’s a lot of rumours but for now Ivan is a Brentford player.”
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
- 1 TIPS - Atletico Mineiro (MG) VS Cruzeiro (MG)
- 2 Arsenal or Chelsea to win Premier League? Week 2 overreactions
- 3 Lamine Yamal goes public with rapper girlfriend
- 4 TIPS - SL Benfica VS Fenerbahce S.K.
- 5 'Lord of the Flies mentality' - Herculez Gomez slams USMNT generation’s attitude, points to cultural clash with Mauricio Pochettino
- 6 TIPS - Jeju SK FC VS Gwangju FC
- 7 Real Madrid enter Kobbie Mainoo race! Man Utd facing fight to keep midfielder amid concern over playing time
- 8 TIPS - Puebla FC VS Monterrey
- 9 TIPS - US Cremonese VS US Sassuolo Calcio
- 10 Kobbie Mainoo Informs Manchester United of Desire to Leave on Loan