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If there’s one thing that petrifies opposition defenders - even more so in the Championship than in the Premier League - then it’s pace.

And it’s fair to say DeAndre Yedlin has that quality in abundance.

When Newcastle United utilise him correctly, then the former Tottenham Hotspur right-back can be lethal.

Against Rotherham United, it was the USA international’s ability to eat up ground at an incredible rate which eventually helped break down the visitors’ stubborn resistance.

The Magpies toiled at times during the first half, with Jonjo Shelvey shackled due to the fact he was being followed around the field by his dogged man-marker.

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But it was Shelvey’s quick thinking, combined with Yedlin’s lightning-quick feet, which brought the goal that allowed the damn to burst open.

In open play Shelvey was unable to find the space and time to thread those delicious passes we know he is capable of; so he was forced to do so from a free-kick.

During injury time in the first half, Shelvey pinged a 50-yard cross-field ball down the right wing after spotting Yedlin in space.

The US international sprinted to the byline, cut back and then fed the ball to Daryl Murphy, who curled in the opening goal on the turn.

Then, once Rotherham were behind, the visitors had no option but to become more open during the second half.

When you have a player like Yedlin running at you from the opposition direction, that can prove to be a recipe for disaster.

Or, in Newcastle’s case, a formula from which to wreak havoc.

Whenever the Millers attempted to attack, Yedlin just exploited the space in behind.

And he almost single-handedly created the third.

A long ball down the right would have evaded most players, but Yedlin is not ‘most players’ as far as speed is concerned.

He has quite astonishing acceleration and practically flew down the right wing, attacking from one end of the pitch to the other, then whipped in a cross from on the byline which Ayoze Perez nodded in.

Vurnon Anita’s injury is damaging to Newcastle in one way - Rafa Benitez likes his versatility and experience - but it does allow Yedlin to get a consistent run in the team.

And the American offers an attacking threat which Anita simply does not.

Newcastle have a weapon in Yedlin which no other Championship has. Lightning-quick pace.