Newcastle United star trio make BBC pundit’s Team of the Week with midfielder branded ‘revelation’

BBC pundit Garth Crooks has named three Newcastle United stars in his Team of the Week column after their impressive 2-0 win away to Brentford on Saturday.

The former Tottenham Hotspur striker has chosen Fabian Schar, Joe Willock and Joelinton for their performances with the defender keeping a clean sheet and both midfielders finding the back of the net.

The trio are joined by three players each from Spurs who beat Leeds Units 4-0, and Liverpool, who won the Carabao Cup on penalties after a 0-0 draw with Chelsea in Sunday’s final.

Making up his best XI of the week are one player each from Aston Villa and Manchester City.

Here is what the 63-year old said about each of his choices from the Magpies and why he selected them:

Fabian Schar

The 30-year old caught the eye with pundit highlighting his “brilliant intervention” to set up Joe Willock for Newcastle’s second goal.

Crooks said: “It’s been a long time since Fabian Schar has featured in my team of the week.

“However after his brilliant intervention to set up Joe Willock’s superb finish against Brentford I was compelled to include the Newcastle central defender.

“Not only did Schar find himself on the halfway line in open play after defending a corner in his own penalty area, but fought off a challenge, looked up and played the most exquisite ball for Willock to score.”

Joe Willock

After failing to score in his first 21 appearances for United this season the former Arsenal player has now netted twice in their last two fixtures.

Crooks said: “We’ve seen glimpses of what he can do, and he certainly has an eye for goal.

“Against Brentford he showed that he also has the eye for the spectacular. His finish was superb while his performances get better with each game.

“Howe said after his performance against West Ham when he scored the equaliser, that this was a player who with the right development could go a long way. I think he’s right.”

Joelinton

The Brazilian continues to prove his doubters wrong and opened the scoring for United on Saturday.

Crooks said: “One player who seems to be thriving under the new regime is Joelinton.

“If you’d have said to me at the beginning of the season that Joelinton would be starring for Newcastle United on the left side of midfield I’d have thought you were in need of some sort of assistance.

“However Joelinton has been a revelation since the arrival of Howe and so have Newcastle.”

Who else made Garth Crooks’ Team of the Week?

Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur were the two other sides to have three players chosen by the BBC pundit while Aston Villa and Manchester City stars took the other two spots.

United were represented by Schar in the back four with Willock and Joelinton making up 2/3s of the three man midfield.

Making up the Team of the Week from the BBC pundit were: Matty Cash (Aston Villa), Fabian Schar (Newcastle United), Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Joelinton (Newcastle United),Dejan Kulusevski (Tottenham Hotspur) Joe Willock (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) and Phil Foden (Manchester City).