Steve Bruce names Newcastle United's 'best player' against Crystal Palace

Valentino Lazaro was Newcastle United’s “best player” at Selhurst Park, according to Steve Bruce.

Published 24th Feb 2020, 05:00 BST

Valentino Lazaro battles for possession with Wilfried Zaha.

Lazaro, signed on loan from Inter Milan last month, was sent off late in yesterday’s 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace for bringing down Wilfried Zaha.

The winger – who was fielded as a right wing-back in the club’s last two games – will miss Saturday’s home game against Burnley through suspension.

Bruce felt that Lazaro wasn’t given enough of the ball on the right. He said: “I thought he was our best player. I thought he was terrific. I thought he was terrific against Zaha. We ignored him so much in the final third. We didn’t feed him enough of the ball to show that quality he’s got.”

Asked about the dismissal, United’s head coach said: “He’s disappointed. Ten seconds to go, does the referee need to send him off? Bit of common sense, maybe?”