Dan Burn was not the most glamorous signing made by Newcastle United during the January transfer window but has arguably emerged as the most astute. His commanding displays in the heart of defence have kept club captain Jamaal Lascelles out of the side and helped Newcastle steer further away from the relegation battle.
Since returning from illness after missing the win over Aston Villa, Lascelles has started just one league game. He was restored to the starting XI when Newcastle boss Eddie Howe switched to a back five in an attempt to contain Chelsea's plethora of attacking talent but returned to the bench for the trip to Everton.
Burn's form has ensured there have not been calls for a Lascelles return but an interesting statistic serves as a reminder that the Magpies captain is of value to the club. The 28-year-old has been a key figure in recent years but has not stood out under Howe and Burn now appears to be one of the first names on the teamsheet.
