Having been in and out of the Newcastle United team this season, fans from the North East club finally got to see the real potential of defender Fabian Schar on Saturday as the Magpies easily saw off Cardiff City with a 3-0 victory.

Many might have thought to see him dominate defensively, instead of making brilliant attacking runs and finding the back of the net twice, but the performance over the weekend showed exactly what he can bring to table for manager Rafa Benitez.

Schar's first goal was something Newcastle fans have barely seen this season as he ran almost the length of one half of the pitch, before cutting inside onto his left foot, smoothly guiding the ball past Neil Etheridge.

His second goal, in the 63rd minute, though, was just brilliant positioning play following a corner that was flicked on by Jamaal Lascelles.

Defensively, Schar also offered Benitez a great deal of satisfaction with a clinical 90 minute display, despite the fact that Neil Warnock's men never really looked threatening.

Having made the move to Newcastle last summer from Spanish side, Deportivo La Coruna, Benitez has been patient in the way he has eased the 27-year-old Schar into the first team.

The manager decided to use him on the bench for most of the start of the season but since November he's been placing his confidence in Schar to start at centre-back.

And, having produced such a solid performance on Saturday, Benitez will have to continue with Schar at the back for the rest of the season if Newcastle were to climb out of the relegation zone.

Schar's capabilities in both attack and defence is a massive asset for the club to have and it will be crucial for Benitez and the rest of the team for him to continue playing with such a high level of confidence.

Newcastle host Watford in the FA Cup this coming weekend and Schar could again be the key figure to help the club progress to the next round of the competition.