Karl Darlow was Newcastle United’s best player on Saturday.
Speaking to Chelsea’s official website, Eden Hazard has praised Newcastle United goalkeeper Karl Darlow for his performance in Saturday’s 3-1 win for the Blues.
If not for the 26-year-old then the defeat might have been a lot heavier for Newcastle as Darlow pulled off a series of decent saves – including a brilliant one early on from Hazard.
But the Belgian superstar got his revenge by equalising to cancel out Dwight Gayle’s early opener, and then by clipping home a Panenka from the penalty spot to rub salt in the wounds.
And although Hazard admits he should have perhaps scored more, the £32 million man praised the Newcastle stopper for keeping him out.
He told the Blues’ website: “I have to say that is a great goalkeeper who saved two great chances. Like I say, I should score more goals, but two is good and we won the game.”
Darlow has been Newcastle’s number one since Wednesday after displacing Rob Elliot in the 2-2 draw at West Brom and, on the back of this, it seems unlikely that Darlow will vacate the spot any time soon.
The Magpies have now lost five of their last six Premier League games and Rafael Benitez needs to turn things around quickly.
Benitez’s side are only five points above the relegation zone.
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