NEWCASTLE UNITED boss Eddie Howe enjoyed “special man” Bruno Guimaraes’ performance in his side’s 3-2 win at Nottingham Forest.

Guimaraes scored his first goals since September, including the winner at the City Ground, as Newcastle boosted their European hopes, with Fabian Schar also getting on the scoresheet.

The Brazilian midfielder opened the scoring with a brilliant finish from a set-piece and then he found the bottom corner after the break.

Howe said: “I think, like all players this season, he’s had moments where he’s been the difference-maker for us and there have been moments when games have been more difficult.

“He’s definitely targeted by teams now to stop him, and that is in part why we moved him and tried something different.

“He’s got real quality, but underneath it all he is a humble lovely person as well and those two things, the player and the person, makes him a special man for us.

“When we can get him the ball higher up the pitch he has undoubted quality.

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“It’s always a difficult balance for me, especially with only three recognised midfielders. We’re trying to find the right balance for those three players.”

Forest twice levelled through Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi and had a presentable penalty shout turned down with the score at 2-2.

Defeat leaves them teetering just two points above the relegation zone, with the possible threat of a Premier League points deduction.

Nuno is happy with his side’s attacking output but wants things tightened up at the other end.

“I am not concerned about if we miss one chance or a one v one, because you are producing a lot,” he said.

“For sure, with the quality and the talent things will get better. That is not a concern but we are worried and concerned and we have to address how easy we are conceding goals, it is disappointing.”