Martin Dubravka impressed Pat Nevin with his performance against Norwich City until the Newcastle United goalkeeper’s late mistake, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live (30/11, 21:11).
Eddie Howe recalled Dubravka for the first time this season at Arsenal on Saturday. The Slovakia international had missed the first two months of the campaign after foot surgery, which saw Steve Bruce favour Freddie Woodman before backing Karl Darlow.
But Darlow failed to shine in Newcastle’s first game after Bruce’s sacking, against Brentford, so Howe unleashed Dubravka.
His performance in the defeat at Arsenal was one of the Magpies’ only positives, and ensured the ex-Bournemouth coach stuck with the 32-year-old for last night’s tussle with Norwich.
Norwich kept Dubravka busy throughout the Tyneside meeting as they sought to punish Newcastle following Ciaran Clark’s early red card.
Six of the Canaries’ 16 shots were on target, while Callum Wilson’s penalty was the Toon’s only on-target effort, per WhoScored.
Dubravka impressed former Scotland international Nevin with his work to try to maintain Newcastle’s lead over Norwich. But he let all his good work go to waste in the 79th minute.
Dubravka elected to punch Billy Gilmour’s cross but failed to get enough power on his attempt. His mistake let the ball drop to Dimitris Giannoulis, who fed Teemu Pukki to score.
“I think you’ve got to ask a question of Dubravka there,” Nevin said. “You either catch it or you punch it, he did neither – he palmed it.
“Dubravka has been absolutely brilliant, but that was a mistake.”
Howe also has Dubravka to thank for Newcastle point vs Norwich
Dubravka’s mistake cost Newcastle their lead over Norwich and a chance to claim a first win in the Premier League this season.
United remain the only team still to claim three points in a game after 14 matches, and remain rooted in last place. The Toon are six points from safety having played one game more than their rivals.
But Howe can also have Dubravka to thank for Newcastle holding on to take at least a point against Norwich.
The £38k-a-week shot-stopper atoned for his mistake by stretching his leg to deny Pierre Lees-Melou. Fabian Schar suffered a lapse of concentration at a costly moment to allow the midfielder to snatch possession, but he chose to shoot rather than passing to the unmarked Pukki.
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