Bruno Guimaraes hailed Nick Pope as the best goalkeeper in the world after scoring 10 goals in a row to help Newcastle win 1-0 against Southampton.
The recent clean sheet has helped Newcastle on their way to a narrow advantage going into the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against the Saints.
The Pope have not been beaten since November 6 – 79 days ago – when Romain Perraud scored a late goal for Southampton in a 4-1 defeat to Eddie Howe’s men. That’s a run of 10 games and 901 minutes in which Pope has been unbeaten with Newcastle’s only goals conceded this term coming in the 2-1 FA Cup defeat at Sheffield Wednesday when Martin Dubravka replaced Pope.
This is the longest clean sheet run since August 2012 (when Opta started tracking records) there have been no other instances of a player with a Premier League team keeping 10 straight clean sheets in all competitions. Pope has been called upon to make 20 saves in 10 games, including three at St Mary’s – a selection that was to deny Che Adams when he ran at goal.
In total, Pope has kept 17 clean sheets in all competitions for Newcastle, with only Leyton Orient’s Lawrence Vigouroux leading the way (17) among Premier League keepers this season.
Nick Pope gets the necessary suspension to deny Che Adams
Newcastle midfielder Guimaraes, who won player of the match in the 1-0 win, said: “I want to say thank you to Nick Pope – he has been brilliant for us. He is the best keeper in the world.”
Pope himself said: “We look strong at the back. The boys work hard to make it happen.”
Former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given has been impressed with Pope’s performance, saying: “I had to double when the tally reached 10 games and 10 clean sheets. It’s amazing. Every goalkeeper in the world who had that feeling. there for the important moments, at Palace and when Adams came through tonight – he made a big block. He gives his teammates the most confidence in the world? That’s important in the debate but he is at the best level of his career.”
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Another highlight of the Carabao Cup semi-final, the first leg between Southampton and Newcastle.
The Pope’s clean run looked set to end when Adam Armstrong finished a free-kick from close range with the England international, but VAR stepped in to rule out the goal being ruled out of hand.
Pope said: “A lot of work is being done but VAR has helped us. It was a great relief, you don’t expect so many refunds. We are thankful for that.”
Howe: The Pope has been successful
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Newcastle boss Eddie Howe shares his thoughts on the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final at Southampton as they take a 1-0 lead back to St. James’ Park next week to reach the final at Wembley.
Newcastle boss Howe, who signed Pope from Burnley for £10m this summer, has been impressed with his goalkeeper, praising his ability to stand up at key moments in the game.
Howe said: “The two saves he made were big moments in the game. Adams’ one-vs-one was the biggest moment in the game when a lot of people got into the game and stepped up, and Nick stood up. And he made a big save, and then he made it again soon.
“He’s been really good for us this year and the defense has improved a lot in front of him, but every time he’s needed he’s made things happen for us.”
Southampton manager Nathan Jones called Pope the best goalkeeper in the Premier League: “There is no better goalkeeper in the league, in terms of what you need to be a goalkeeper, using your hands, he is the best in the league.”
