Bruno Guimaraes' move to Newcastle United was "absolutely a bargain" in the eyes of Eddie Howe, who savoured a masterclass on Saturday from the Brazil international.
Newcastle fended off reported interest from Juventus and Arsenal to sign Guimaraes from Lyon in January for £35million, with the midfielder acknowledging he "took a gamble" to boost his World Cup hopes.
The 24-year-old has subsequently delivered and become a favourite at St James' Park, scoring twice in the 5-1 win over Brentford on Saturday.
Since making his Premier League debut in February, no Newcastle player has managed more than Guimaraes' seven goals, further aiding his bid for a starting spot with Brazil at Qatar 2022 in November.
While Brazil head coach Tite will make the final call on Guimaraes' selection, Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe was effusive in his praise as he suggested his signing represented great value for money.
"I find it difficult with that number, but I would say that he's a bargain in today's current climate," Howe said. "He's absolutely a bargain because he's had a huge effect on the team and the club.
"In today's market, that is a relatively modest sum, which I can't really believe I'm saying. But it is.
"No disrespect to anyone I've played with, but they can't compare to Bruno, maybe bar Jermain Defoe, who was incredible in his early days. But there'd be no one else like him.
"In terms of coaching, I've coached some really good individuals, but he would be right up there. He's an incredible talent and an incredible person.
"We love him to bits, and we're enjoying watching him, coaching him and playing a part in his development."
Newcastle had been held in their last two home league games but returned to St James' Park winning ways in emphatic fashion.
The Magpies have lost just one of their last 11 Premier League games (W5 D5), while only four teams have more won points than Newcastle (52) in the competition in 2022.
Guimaraes told NUFC TV: "We've lost many points at home, and we can't have this happening. We know at home we need to win.
"Today was an amazing day for me. I'm very proud of the boys, of the gaffer."
Boss Howe pointed to upcoming games against Manchester United, Everton and Tottenham as representing a major test of his team. They come in the space of eight days, starting on Sunday, October 16.
"Now we enter a really tough three-game week," Howe said, "and we're well aware that those games are difficult.
"We'll enjoy tonight, and enjoy the feeling of how well the team has done, but then quickly focus on what's ahead."
'I don't celebrate goals any more' - Postecoglou bemoans VAR after Arsenal defeat
Ange Postecoglou admitted "I don't celebrate goals any more" after VAR denied Tottenham during their north London derby defeat by Arsenal.
Spurs were beaten 3-2 by their rivals, who kept their Premier League title challenge on track, despite a late rally having trailed 3-0 at half-time at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Trailing 1-0 to Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's own-goal, the hosts thought they had equalised when Micky van de Ven slotted past David Raya, However, the decision to award the goal was overturned following a VAR review with the defender adjudged to be offside.
Arsenal took advantage of their let-off with Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz increasing their lead, while second-half strikes from Cristiano Romero and Heung-Min Son proved academic for Tottenham.
"Games aren’t refereed in the stadium any more," Postecoglou told reporters during his post-match press conference. "I don’t celebrate goals any more.
"You've got to wait for somebody down the road. It’s a shame, I don’t like it, but I’ve got to accept it."
The Spurs boss was pleased with his side's response after the break, and hopes his players will benefit from the disappointment of losing the derby.
"It's a big day for our club and our fans, and we didn't get the outcome we wanted, so it's obviously very disappointing," he added on SpursTalk.
"You can go out in the second half and accept your fate that it's not your day, but we had to show some resilience and fight - just for our supporters more than anything else. To be fair to the lads, they did that.
"We just lacked some focus today in key moments, particularly in the first half. Sometimes, you've got to feel the pain of it to learn that lesson properly."
Arteta was 'praying' Arsenal held on for derby victory
Mikel Arteta was "praying" Arsenal clung on as the Gunners held off a late Tottenham fightback to claim a 3-2 north London derby victory on Sunday.
Arsenal looked to be cruising at 3-0 up after a Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg own-goal put the Gunners ahead at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, before Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz extended the visitors' lead.
However, a David Raya mistake allowed Cristian Romero to cut the deficit before a Son Heung-min penalty threw Arsenal's lead into further peril after Declan Rice brought down Ben Davies.
The Gunners held on, though, despite some late pressure, a period in which Arteta conceded he was fearing the worst.
"I was praying," Arteta told reporters. "It was a really emotional game.
"3-0 up you're in control, and then an individual error happens that clicks something. We started to deal with the situation better, but they have the players to put a lot of courage forward."
Along with the derby day spoils, the win extends Arsenal's lead at the Premier League summit to four points, temporarily at least with closest rivals Manchester City taking on Nottingham Forest later on Sunday in the first of their two games in hand over the Gunners.
The destination of the title remains in the hands of Pep Guardiola's City, who overtook Arsenal last term to claim a fifth Premier League title in six seasons last term after the Gunners led for much of the way.
Arteta believes Arsenal are better-equipped this time to go on and win the title, however.
When asked if Arsenal have the ability to go all the way, Arteta replied: "100%.
"I’ve seen that the whole season. They give me reason to believe that every single day. The motivation for what is ahead is beautiful."
Rybakina eases past Sherif to reach Madrid Open last 16
Elena Rybakina cruised past Mayar Sherif in straight sets to reach the last 16 of the Madrid Open on Sunday.
World number four Rybakina rarely looked like being troubled by Sherif, easing to a 6-1 6-4 triumph, winning 22 of her 26 first-serve points on her way to victory.
The 2022 Wimbledon champion broke Sherif's serve twice in the first set to gain control of the match, before holding her serve five times in the second to ensure victory.
Also into the last 16 in Madrid are Yulia Putintseva and Daria Kasatkina, who beat Caroline Dolehide and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova respectively, both in straight sets. However, world number seven and reigning Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova is out after she was upset by Mirra Andreeva, losing 7-5 6-1.
Data debrief
In reaching the Madrid Open last 16, Rybakina again showed her class on clay. Her victory over Sherif saw her become only the fourth player in the last 10 years to win 14 straight WTA matches on clay, alongside Serena Williams, Simona Halep and Iga Swiatek.
Additionally, Rybakina's 475 winners at WTA-1000 events in 2024 are 112 more than the next best, Danielle Collins with 363.
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