Kieran Trippier’s 35th-minute free kick proved decisive on Sunday afternoon, with Eddie Howe’s side backing up their victories over Leeds United and Everton and moving four points clear of the Premier League’s bottom three as a result.
Ahead of their recent renaissance, the Magpies had been making a habit of failing to hang onto leads, a record stretching as far back as August when they took just one point from a possible six against West Ham United and Southampton at St. James’ despite being in front twice in each game.
After grinding out that success at Elland Road, though, Schär believes something has clicked, with United now on their best run of winning form in the Premier League since November 2018.
“In every perspective we have been doing better than early this season,” the Swiss reflected as he spoke to nufc.co.uk after the final whistle. “Now the results are starting to turn over and this is giving us much more confidence. This is what was missing in a few games, even when we were performing well; it was the lack of confidence we had. Now we are quite positive and confident and this makes a huge difference.
“It maybe wasn’t our best performance with the ball, but the way we defended as a team, fighting for each other, fighting for the club to get some points on the board, I think it is incredible. Obviously we are all delighted about the last week and that is the way we have to keep going.
“It was different to the Everton game. I think the game was very difficult. In possession, we were probably better against Everton, but you have to try and keep a clean sheet, like we did, and now we have only conceded one goal in three games. You see the fighting on the pitch – each one is fighting for each other and for this club, and this is great. It doesn’t matter in the end how the performance was. It is three more points on the board and we are all very happy.”
The Magpies’ shutout – still just their third this season, and sixth over the last calendar year – was all the more impressive given Trippier and fellow full back Javier Manquillo both had to leave the field through injury, with Paul Dummett and Emil Krafth putting in admirable performances in their place after coming on either side of the break.
Even Schär himself looked like he might have to go off at one point, but he was able to raise a smile as he reflected on how he came to be bandaged up early on in the game…
“Actually, I think Tripps might have given me an elbow!” he laughed. “But these things happen and I am okay. I don’t care – we won, and that was the most important thing.
“We have done a lot of work on the back four in the last couple of weeks. Everyone knows what they have to do. Each player is doing his job, and it is great for the team to have this feeling as well. To keep a clean sheet, especially for a defender, it is a very peaceful feeling after a game. The way we defended as a whole group was incredible.”
