BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks believes Fabian Schar's dramatic goal-line clearance on Saturday could prove to be a 'lifeline' for Steve Bruce and Newcastle United at the end of the season.
The Magpies were held to a 0-0 draw by Brighton at St James' Park and it was a performance that lacked spark, lacked creativity and lacked any sort of inspiration.
Supporters left the ground feeling underwhelmed after Steve Bruce's side only managed to muster 29 per cent possession against the Seagulls but it could have been a whole lot worse.
Deep into the second half, Brighton youngster Aaron Connolly managed to dink the ball over Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka only for Schar to scamper back to the goal-line and hook the ball away from danger with his outstretched right leg.
While Newcastle's performance left plenty of cause for concern, Schar's star continued to shine brightly. The Swiss international defender has gone from strength to strength since joining from Deportivo last season and is now arguably the Magpies' leading performer.
Since the start of last season, Newcastle have won 43 per cent of their Premier League games when Fabian Schar has started (12/28), compared to just six per cent when he hasn't - such is his influence on the side.
And despite a drab performance from the team, Schar once again stood out - earning him a place in Crooks' Premier League Team of the Week.
"The chip by Aaron Connolly was a certain goal and it needed something very special from a defender to clear the danger," Crooks told BBC Sport.
"That moment of magic came from Fabian Schar whose clearance off the line was nothing short of amazing.
"The clearance off the line by Schar could, come the end of the season, be Newcastle and Steve Bruce's lifeline."
