Having very little choice other than to start Loris Karius in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester United, Eddie Howe will have been pleased with how the Newcastle goalkeeper played.
The German was brought in exactly for a situation like this, and while the Magpies ended up losing the game, it wasn’t because of him.
The Newcastle man performed above expectations, making a number of saves in the process, even if he was unable to stop Casemiro’s header and Marcus Rashford’s deflected shot.
Karius will now return to be behind Nick Pope and Martin Dubravka in the pecking order at St James’ Park, and whether he stays with the club beyond his six month deal remains to be seen.
He said: “In the end, I know what I’m worth, and I know much the work I put in every day is worth. I never doubted myself. I’ve never listened to people who doubted me. I’m not surprised by my performance (in the Carabao Cup final) because I know what my qualities are.”
