Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez was delighted with two-goal Fabian Schar after victory over Cardiff City.

However, the manager admits Schar was not a first-choice summer target.

“He cost €3.5m," Benitez replied when asked how the Magpies came to sign Schar during the summer window.

"I knew him when he was at Basel - but also when he was at Deportivo la Coruna; I have some friends there and they told me about the [relegation] release clause, and we started analysing things.

"I would be lying if I said he was always the first target, but we knew he could come in and help. We knew he had experience and had some quality on the ball, especially with his right foot.

"He has done really well. We have some really good centre-backs."