Newcastle United upset the odds to beat Manchester United on Sunday afternoon.
Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has heaped praise on Toon goalkeeper Martin Dubravka on BBC One’s broadcast of Match of the Day 2 (Sunday, 10.35pm) after he starred in the win over Manchester United.
The 29-year-old made his debut for Rafa Benitez’s side after completing a loan move to St. James’ Park until the end of the season on deadline day in January from Slavia Prague, and helped the Toon earn an excellent 1-0 win.
The Slovakia international made a number of magnificent saves, keeping the likes of Anthony Martial, Alexis Sanchez and Jesse Lingard at bay after Matt Ritchie had given Newcastle the lead.
The Evening Chronicle claims Newcastle can sign Dubravka permanently for £4million in the summer, but Shearer reckons he has already paid that figure back with his display against Jose Mourinho’s stars.
“I’m told there’s a clause to sign him for £4million,” Shearer said. “What a debut, he gave confidence to his back four, he stood tall, he was sharp off his line, he was strong in one-on-one situations. Everything they chucked at him, he handled.
“The save in the last minute was incredible. If it is £4million, he has paid that back already in today’s [Sunday’s] performance.”
Dubravka replaced Karl Darlow in the starting line-up in what was a risky move by manager Benitez, handing Dubravka his debut in a baptism of fire against the Premier League’s second-placed side.
But the Toon’s new number 12 was more than up to the task and he is now expected to start against Bournemouth on Saturday as Benitez takes his side to the Vitality Stadium to face Eddie Howe’s Cherries in a crucial match.
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