'Couldn't ask for more' – Sven Botman reacts to Martin Dubravka's Sunderland message
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net.
Jonathan Burnett
Mon 25 August 2025 9:20, UK
Martin Dubravka’s first match since leaving Newcastle United saw him end up on the winning side against their arch-rivals.
Newcastle face Liverpool on Monday in their second match of the new season as one of eight teams still looking for their first win, but all three promoted sides are already off the mark on their top-flight returns.
Sunderland were briefly at the summit of the Premier League following their 3-0 win over West Ham on the opening weekend, and Leeds United joined them with a 1-0 win against Everton two days later.
Burnley have followed suit to claim their first points of the season, and their new number one Dubravka “couldn’t have asked” for a better debut at Turf Moor following his move from Newcastle this summer.
Aaron Ramsdale replaced Martin Dubravka at Newcastle (Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media)
Dubravka was always likely to leave Newcastle this summer as they laid the groundwork for an ultimately unsuccessful move for James Trafford, but the Magpies’ goalkeeping stocks have been bolstered since.
Aaron Ramsdale has arrived on loan at St.
James’ Park as Dubravka’s replacement, after the Slovakian completed his move to Burnley on 7 August and made his debut for the Clarets at Turf Moor on Saturday.
Dubravka kept a clean sheet as goals from Josh Cullen and Jaidon Anthony dispatched Sunderland to claim a 2-0 win, and the 36-year-old posted on Instagram on Sunday with a message for his new fans.
MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES
He said: “Am delighted to make my debut at Turf Moor, beating Sunderland, clean sheet, could not ask for more, great team work – thank you for your support!”
Dubravka’s ex-Newcastle team-mate Sven Botman joined in on the Sunderland pile-on, summing up the Slovak’s debut with the one-word verdict of; “Top”.
View this post on Instagram
View Instagram Post
Newcastle may have been the better team in their 0-0 draw at 10-man Aston Villa to open their season last weekend, but Eddie Howe could adopt a more defensive approach may against Liverpool on Monday.
Brand-new £34million defender Malick Thiaw was left on the bench alongside Botman at Villa Park, but the duo could be set to form the basis of a more youthful backline in place of Dan Burn and Fabian Schar.
Bringing down the average age of Newcastle’s team has been aided by Dubravka’s departure and the arrivals of Thiaw, Ramsdale, Anthony Elanga and Jacob Ramsey, but it remains to be seen if the new-look Magpies can make an immediate impact.
Related Posts