For all Bruno Guimaraes stole the limelight after his brace against Leicester, Emil Krafth's battling performance at right-back has been widely praised too. With his long-term future up in the air after the arrival of Kieran Trippier, the Swede has not put a foot wrong since replacing the January addition in recent weeks.
Krafth is enjoying his best run of form since arriving in the north east. It's easy to envisage him being used as a backup to Trippier beyond the summer.
The defender, who was suffering from illness before the Leicester clash, started the game from the outset despite missing training sessions during the week. That type of professionalism wins you admirers in Newcastle and clearly shows Krafth is relishing the chance to feature in this team.
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Eddie Howe clearly rates the defender highly and has been full of praise for him in recent weeks. Sunday was no different, with the Newcastle boss giving Krafth credit for playing after a week of disruption.
"Very, very good," Howe replied when asked about the right-back's performance of late. "Emil was one of the players I spoke about in the pre-match press conference before the game.
"He was suffering with an illness and didn't train much last week. He deserves full credit for putting himself out on the pitch today. He cramped at the end, probably because nutritionally he was slightly down.
"But what a performance, especially against a fresh Harvey Barnes coming on - a real test for him. I've been really impressed with him - both as a player and as a person."
Krafth made more ball recoveries (10) and more tackles (7) than any other player on the pitch in 2-1 win. He has started seven of the last nine games, only missing the defeats to Chelsea and Tottenham.
Speculation will persist over Krafth's and Javier Manquillo's long-term futures at the club due to Trippier. But the 27-year-old is showing he has a role to play at the club going forward.
