THAT WAS STRESSFUL!
DEBUT GOALKEEPER THANKS TEAM-MATES FOR HELPING HIM GET CLEAN SHEET
Martin Dubravka paid tribute to his cool-headed Newcastle United team-mates – for helping him through a “stressful” debut.
The goalkeeper was outstanding in Sunday’s 1-0 win over Manchester United.
Dubravka, signed on loan from Sparta Prague last month, made a crucial save from Anthony Martial with the score still goalless.
And the 29-year-old – who only found out that he was playing two hours before the match – helped the team see out a frantic final 10 minutes as Jose Mourinho’s side pressed for an equaliser.
“It was an amazing feeling for me, because we won against a very strong team,” said Dubravka.
“I’m very happy that we won as a team. We worked hard in training. We tried to do our best.”
Dubravka stopped a firsthalf shot from Martial with his left foot.
“It was very important for me,” said the Slovakia international.
“When you’re in a new club and trying to do your best and show people that you deserve to be here, it’s very important (to make a save like that).
“But probably more important for me was the first touch with the ball.
“You’re trying to help the players and I was happy at that moment that I could pass a good ball and stay calm and just enjoy the game.”
Dubravka admitted the last 10 minutes were fraught as Newcastle defended, in Mourinho’s words, like “animals”.
“It was a bit stressful, because you could see all the players were in the box,” said Dubravka.
“You’re trying to do the best. We needed to stay calm in this situation and keep the ball away from the box and help each other and not just kick the balls away, keep it a little bit more.
“I think we did well, especially the last 10 minutes. We were under pressure, but we were trying to play football, and not just kick the balls away.”
Dubravka “tried not to think” about the physicality and intensity of the Premier League before he stepped on to the pitch.
Asked how he found his first experience of English football, he said: “First of all, I tried not to think about it.
“I just tried to enjoy the game like every other before. I’m very happy that we won as a team. The players helped me, especially in the second half.
“I’m very happy for them also. We have the three points now.”