The Swiss international defender had been restricted to just one Premier League appearance for Newcastle prior to the clash, but produced an accomplished defensive display after replacing captain Jamaal Lascelles at the interval.
Two other substitutes – Ki Sung-yueng and Ayoze Pérez – combined for the game’s decisive moment, with the latter heading home the South Korean’s free kick midway through the second half.
Schär admitted that he has had a frustrating time awaiting his chance, but spoke of his keenness to look forward after helping Rafa Benítez’s side break their winning duck.
“For me, it’s not been an easy time. The last month, I haven’t played often, and I have just been trying to show what I can do in training and to show that in the game today was really important for me, and for all of the players coming in,” he told nufc.co.uk. “We have to help when needed and I think today we did do our part for the team.
“It was good to play for 45 minutes. Without a lot of minutes (before), it was not too bad. I’m looking forward to next week and hopefully we can go on with another win.”
Victory was the Magpies’ first in a competitive encounter since their memorable defeat of Chelsea on the final day of the 2017/18 campaign, with Benítez’s charges – for the time being, at least – moving out of the relegation zone as a result.
For Schär, the relief was palpable as referee Craig Pawson called time on proceedings, with the Hornets having been knocking at the door late on.
“It’s hard to say it in words,” he said. “I think when you saw us, after the 90 minutes, it was massive pressure off our shoulders.
“We fought for each other, and we fought over the 90 minutes. Of course, we can improve a lot of things, but we have to start doing things like we did today – like fighting, and where we push each other. We knew they have some quality in their offensive work, but I thought we started the second half well, we had chances, and we were pressing better. It’s important to score the first one – you know the fans are calling more, and that’s what we need here – in our situation. We need the fans, and we need everybody to help each other.
“Of course, it’s only one win, but we’ve had to wait a long time for this. I think it was really important for the confidence, for all of us. We know we are still near the bottom of the table, but they are a massive three points, so now we have to keep going and try to get another one.”
