Fabian Schar admits he still felt "upset" during Newcastle United's victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
The Switzerland international had just played an integral part in a 6-1 win and weighed in with two assists as part of the demolition. But he was still raging after Harry Kane slipped past him and planted home an early second half goal.
In the interests of context it was no more than a consolation goal that even resulted in mock celebrations by Newcastle fans to taunt the remaining Spurs fans in St James' Park. However, Schar is one of the standard bearers in the United changing rooms these days and clean sheets are a big thing for the team with the best defence in the Premier League.
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The Swiss centre-back told Chronicle Live: "I wouldn't say they were straight back in at 5-1. But obviously you want a clean sheet.
"I was upset with the goal. Spurs have their qualities, you can't deny that. Over 90 minutes they had their chances and times when they were dangerous. But overall we done really well and kept them away from our goal for most of the game."
It's incredible to think that Schar once came close to leaving Newcastle before the takeover as the club pondered whether to hand him a longer deal. But he has been one of the key men under Eddie Howe and certainly one of the main stars this season.
Things came together against Spurs, and the defender knows it was one of the most complete performances of the campaign so far. Schar said: "That doesn't happen a lot. Especially against a team that is so close to you.
"You just don't expect it. We just tried to get a reaction from the Aston Villa game, I think that definitely happened.
"Serious words? Obviously, we analysed the game and knew we were nowhere near what you usually see from us.
"So we knew we had to get a reaction in training. We knew how big the game was and what a massive three points it would be."
Schar's pair of assists saw him clip in a superb ball for Joelinton to run on and score the all-important second goal before a piece of dogged defending further up the field saw him win the ball Jacob Murphy.
Reflecting on the pass for Joelinton, the same player he set up at West Ham with another sumptuous pass from the back, Schar said: "I think he (Joelinton) owes me, it’s twice in a row, another assist you know! Joe Willock was also getting those chances at the start of the season and now Joelinton has scored and it’s something we try to do in training. It’s a great run and a great finish."
Newcastle must now head to Goodison Park and try to hit the same levels as Sunday. But Schar insists the Spurs game was simply United demonstrating what they aim for in training on a daily basis.
Schar said: "Every game is the same level of importance for us. This will be a different game. We have to be back on it like we were against Spurs."
"The next match is the potential for three points so every game for us is of the same importance and we know they're going to be completely different games. We have to be back on it like we were Sunday."
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