Rafa Benitez took a tactical risk on Monday evening by switching from a conventional four at the back system to a three man central defence with two wing-backs, and it was a risk which paid dividends for Newcastle United. 

Burnley had their chances at Turf Moor yesterday evening but, generally speaking, Newcastle’s defensive unit kept clear cut chances at a premium.

Against a typically physical Burnley attack, spearheaded by Chris Wood, Newcastle held firm and demonstrated a comfort within the new system which suggests Benitez will be seriously contemplating a long-term shift in philosophy.

Burnley’s lack of pace upfront enabled Newcastle to enjoy time in possession of the ball inside their own half, and Fabian Schar exploited this to eye-catching effect at times, particularly in the first-half.

With the freedom of Turf Moor to pick a long-range pass, Schar delivered a handful of incisive long-range passes deep into Burnley’s territory, regularly exploiting the space which Matt Ritchie enjoyed on the left touchline.

Schar was signed by Rafa Benitez for a fee of just £3.6 million in the summer transfer window and, although he was brought in to bolster the defensive unit, his performance last night proved that he can also provide Newcastle with an extra dynamic going forward.

During tightly contested fixtures, in which a killer long ball over the top could prove to be the difference, Schar’s vision for a perfectly weighted pass will prove invaluable.

And when you take his forward-thinking quality into consideration alongside his obvious defensive prowess, it’s clear to see that Benitez made a very wise decision to bring a new secret weapon to the club.

Newcastle fans – thoughts? Let us know below!