OPINION
Newcastle United secured a hugely important 3-0 win over Cardiff City on Saturday in what was regarded as one of their most significant games of the season.
With both clubs threatened with the prospect of relegation from the Premier League this season, this is one game that Rafa Benitez needed to get all three points in, especially as his team were sitting in 18th place – just one point below the Bluebirds.
The Magpies have now switched places with Neil Warnock’s team in the table in order to give their survival hopes a slight boost.
Here, This is Futbol has rounded up the three things learned about Newcastle v Cardiff:
Schar is as versatile as they get
Is there anything that Fabian Schar cannot do? First he impresses in his preferred position of centre-back, then he is switched to midfield and blows every one away, then he nets two incredibly well-taken goals. He is fast becoming a fan favourite at St James’ Park, and it is easy to see why. The 6ft 1in [Transfermarkt] dazzler is fast becoming undroppable at Newcastle – and Benitez is no doubt starting to recognise that too. This even the case when you consider how many fantastic centre-backs the Magpies boss has to choice from.
Atsu needs to be axed
It is safe to say that Christian Atsu certainly did not make the most of the opportunity he was given here on Saturday. He stood out like a sore thumb compared to the rest of his teammates, who were incredibly impressive throughout the entirety of the game. The £30,000-a-week [Spotrac] liability needs to be axed as soon as possible, as he missed too many chances and only managed to muster up one cross all afternoon. The Magpies can’t afford to have a player so wasteful in possession. Everybody else did not put a foot wrong, but it is crystal clear that Atsu did.
Longstaff fast becoming a mainstay
Sean Longstaff plays with such a maturity far beyond his 21 years, and he did not put a foot wrong all afternoon on Saturday. Considering he has not played many games in the Premier League, he played in the midfield like he has been there all along. He is fast becoming a mainstay in the starting XI, as it is difficult to see Benitez dropping him any time soon. Longstaff is a real star in the making, and is definitely a player to get very excited about if he continues progressing the way that he is.