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Shearer heaps praise on Schar

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Alan Shearer has praised Newcastle United defender Fabian Schar for his performance against Cardiff City on Saturday.

The Austrian was instrumental in the Magpies 3-0 win over their relegation rivals, scoring a brace and putting in an impressive defensive display.

Speaking on Match of the Day (BBC One, Saturday January 19, 10.30pm), Toon legend Shearer said: “He’s been a decent buy – £3.5 million from Deportivo. You can’t let anybody get into the box without closing them down but he punished them. He guides it into that corner. It was a wonderful finish. 

“I thought he was excellent today. Commanding in the back four, winning headers for his team. He was a danger all afternoon. 

“I thought he had an excellent game along with Rondon and young Sean Longstaff.”

OPINION

Newcastle needed somebody to step up to the plate and grab yesterday’s match by the scruff of the neck, but few would have expected Fabian Schar to be the one to do so. The Austrian has been part of rotating cast of central defenders for the Magpies so far this campaign, but on the basis of his imperious outing against the Bluebirds, he should be the first name on Rafa Benitez’s team sheet next week. Before Saturday, Schar had never scored for the Toon Army, but his two strikes could be vital to their survival hopes. His first finish in particular was a wonderful exhibition of skill and composure, albeit aided by some pretty poor defending, but while it is his heroics in front of goal that will grab the headlines, his towering performance at the other end were just as important for his side. Schar was magnificent yesterday, and exactly the kind of leading man that the Toon Army have been lacking.

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