Newcastle United’s Fabian Schar was at his best in the 3-0 victory over Wolves.
Fabian Schar delivered a magnificent performance in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Wolves, earning Eddie Howe praise for a ‘completely one-off’ in the Newcastle United dressing room.
Schar, along with defensive partner Sven Botman, kept a well-deserved clean sheet at St James’ Park, the club’s first at home since December, but it was the Swiss star’s passing that stood out on a gloomy Tyneside afternoon.
Schar started the move that resulted in Alexander Isak’s opening goal by gently threading the ball through to Anthony Gordon, who was then free to turn and spark a counterattack. The 32-year-old didn’t stop there, however, as he played a Hollywood ball over the Wolves midfield to set up Tino Livramento for Newcastle’s third and final goal in the closing moments.
After Newcastle were thwarted by Championship side Blackburn Rovers in midweek, with Howe’s team struggling to break down a good defensive system, Schar’s contributions were crucial as the north east club returned to winning ways in the Premier League.
“There won’t be many centre-halves like Fabby,” Howe added. “I believe he is a unique individual. He is an excellent defender when he is fully focused and well-trained. He is as good a defender as I have seen.
“He reads the game exceptionally well, and his interceptions are second to none. But he’d undoubtedly tell you that his strongest strengths are on the ball, and he can see and execute things that few other centre-backs can. That’s why he means so much to us.
“Perhaps the pass for the first goal is easier than the pass for the last one. I don’t think anyone else in the crowd noticed the pass for the last goal, except Tino, who had made the run. He may be aware that Fabby is capable of playing him in. They were moments of pure class.”
