MOTD loved what Granit Xhaka was spotted doing off the ball in 93rd minute vs Newcastle
Granit Xhaka has been in the spotlight for Sunderland yet again in the aftermath of their Tyne-Wear derby victory over Newcastle.
The Black Cats climbed back up to seventh in the Premier League table with a 1-0 victory over their bitter rivals on Sunday afternoon, with Nick Woltemade’s own goal proving to be the difference between the two teams.
Ex-Everton and Aston Villa CEO Keith Wyness has backed Sunderland to keep hold of Regis Le Bris, despite interest mounting from other clubs after an excellent start to the season.
Xhaka arrived as one of a remarkable 14 new signings in the summer, and he has quickly become an integral part of their team.
Joe Hart raves about Granit Xhaka’s game intelligence
Xhaka has received plenty of praise at Sunderland for his performances so far this term, and he has looked to be back to his best after several years away from the Premier League.
The Switzerland international has been away from English football for the last two seasons, before the Mackems brought him back from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer.
Le Bris quickly named him as captain of his group, and has since started the ex-Arsenal man in every league game so far this season.
Xhaka played a key role for his team in last weekend’s fiery derby, and Joe Hart was quick to praise him for a moment of off-ball intelligence that he showed during the dying embers of the game.
“This is Xhaka, we talk about him being such an experienced professional, this is the 93rd minute here and he takes one for the team,” Hart said on Match of the Day, analysing the moment when Xhaka was left bleeding after winning a challenge from a late Newcastle corner.
“He realises that he’s not going to get a foul for it, so he’s got to get up. It’s the 93rd minute, all hands to the pump.
“Walking off the field as a centre-midfielder with blood dripping from your eye and a 1-0 win, that is a great feeling.”
Gary Neville left fuming with stoppage-time Xhaka incident
Gary Neville was Sky Sports’ co-commentator for Sunderland’s win, and he was fuming with the aftermath of the stoppage-time incident involving Xhaka.
The 33-year-old was eventually forced into having treatment on the side of the pitch for his cut, which then left his team defending with 10 men for an entire 30 seconds after he returned to the fray.
Neville emphasised his dislike for that rule during Sky Sports’ coverage, and branded it “absolute madness” that Xhaka had to remain sidelined for such a lengthy period after receiving swift treatment.
The 30-second period is currently mandatory after every head injury in the Premier League, but Neville seemingly wants to see that rule altered moving forward.