Tim Krul is 'one of the the best' keepers in league - Alan Pardew
- Published
Tim Krul is "one of the best" Premier League goalkeepers, says Newcastle manager Alan Pardew after his Dutch stopper produced a superb display to deny Tottenham in Sunday's 1-0 victory.
The Netherlands international, 25, made 14 saves in the match - more than any keeper in the top-flight this season.
"He has done a few good ones for us, Tim," said Pardew.
"I think he is the best Dutch goalkeeper for sure and I think he is one of the best in the league."
Krul tipped over efforts from Paulinho and Roberto Soldado before he blocked efforts from Christian Eriksen and Gylfi Sigurdsson with his boot. At the other end, Newcastle created few chances, but found the back of the net when Loic Remy scored his seventh of the season in the 13th minute.
Ankle and shoulder injuries kept Krul sidelined for part of last season, but now it appears the keeper, brought to St James' Park in 2006,, external is back to his best.
Krul admitted his display was "the highlight of his career".
"The first save was the best - Soldado's header," he said. "The sun was low and it kick-started from there. Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa put his life on the line to clear one [from Younes Kaboul] - it shows the commitment, from the back five to the strikers.
"This is the highlight of my career. It was nice to celebrate with the back four. These kind of games don't happen very often. It was a great result.
"I think we have played better - against Sunderland we played well and lost. If we keep a clean sheet we can win games."
Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas said his side did not deserve to lose.
"We gave the first half advantage to Newcastle, but I thought we were very, very unlucky - we had so many good chances, the result was very unfair," said the the former Chelsea manager.
"Newcastle came in strong and played well first half, they deserved the lead. We did not recognise ourselves, we were not on top of our game, and it was not our better first half.
"It was disappointing in the end because it was not what we deserved after a good response second half.
"Krul did well today. Today he was the inspiration, he made the difference. With a bit more luck we would have found the finishing touch."
- Published10 November 2013
- Published10 November 2013