Newcastle United midfielder Vurnon Anita has hailed the quality of teammate Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa.

The former Montpellier captain is beginning to prove his class in the absence of Fabricio Coloccini.

Anita said: "Mapou is a top player.

"He had an excellent game in Moscow, as did the whole of the defence and the keeper.

"He is quick and he helped to stop Anzhi whenever they looked to try to build.

"He took everything in his stride, and to mark top players out of a game takes some doing."