Fabian Schar has told Newcastle United’s official website that the reason he was bandaged up early on during the 1-0 win over Aston Villa on Sunday was because of Kieran Trippier. The Toon secured a third successive win.
Schar, 30, was superb alongside new signing Dan Burn at centre-back as the duo kept the likes of Philippe Coutinho, Emi Buendia, Ollie Watkins and others at bay. The Swiss star was a colossus in the middle of the defence.
That is, despite going down early on and receiving treatment – which forced him to be bandaged up. It was Trippier’s free-kick, his second in two games, that won the game for Eddie Howe’s side – taking them four points clear.
Schar spoke to the club’s website after the 1-0 win over Steven Gerrard’s side, and discussed how he came to be on the receiving end of treatment. He says it was an elbow from Trippier that caused him to get bandages.
“Actually, I think Tripps might have given me an elbow.” Schar said. “But these things happen and I am okay. I don’t care – we won, that was the most important thing. The way we defended as a whole group was incredible.”
Schar on Trippier: Can Newcastle survive without January signing?
Trippier has been, by far and away, Newcastle’s best January signing so far. Chris Wood has given the Toon a physical presence up top, dominating two centre-backs. But he is yet to score for the Tyneside club.
Meanwhile, Burn made a stunning debut for Newcastle on Sunday, but it is his only appearance so far. Matt Targett, too, was excellent on debut against Everton but was barred from facing his parent club on Sunday afternoon.
Bruno Guimaraes has made two late substitute appearances since his big £40million move. Trippier has been pivotal, on and off the pitch and his broken foot could be a hammer blow in Newcastle’s survival chances.
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