An unsung hero is emerging at Newcastle United.
While it is great to see Alexander Isak back to his best and Anthony Gordon re-finding his form, they are not the only players who are making the difference for Newcastle United.
Jacob Murphy has been joining that duo in attack as of late, and is proving to be pivotal in the final third.
He followed up his two assists against Brentford with two goals on Saturday, as Newcastle beat Leicester City 4-0.
Eddie Howe was thrilled with Murphy’s performance, despite the 29-year-old squandered multiple opportunities to score more than the two goals he got.
Jacob Murphy of Newcastle United celebrates scoring during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Leicester City FC at St James' ...
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Ben Foster defends Newcastle’s Jacob Murphy
Murphy looked frustrated as he celebrated Newcastle’s opener, and pundit Ben Foster has said on The Football Fill-In that the £12million man does not deserve the stick he gets from Toon fans.
“Jacob Murphy, he scored two goals in the game,” he said.
“He genuinely could have scored five. He’s all over the shop. He’s just a workhorse for Newcastle. He was phenomenal. The overload that Newcastle had, they worked it so quickly, would get it across to him and he was in every single time.”
Foster added: “He’s a good lad. He doesn’t deserve it [stick from the fans], simple as that.”
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Newcastle fan frustration was not over the top
During the latest episode of The Football Fill-In podcast, there was a lot of talk about fans inside St James’ Park getting on Murphy’s back.
I think that is a little bit over the top. There was some frustration aimed towards Murphy in the first half on Saturday, particularly in the opening 10 minutes when he gave away possession twice in a dangerous area.
After that, he passed up a major chance to score, as apprehension took over the Newcastle United crowd. However, there did not seem to be anything unsavoury aimed at Murphy, who went on to score two crucial goals.
In truth, he will be frustrated that he did not get a hat-trick.
Newcastle will aim to sign an upgrade on Jacob Murphy in 2025
Murphy has started Newcastle’s last three games on the right wing, and is making a difference out there. That has been rare this season, as the right of attack has been a major problem for Eddie Howe.
It is great to see Murphy making that position his own with goals and assists, but Newcastle have grander plans to solve Howe’s attacking problem.
Newcastle will target a right winger in January, ahead of bringing in a centre-back. That is despite Howe also needing defensive reinforcements.
The pursuit of a wider attacker will take central stage, with Newcastle interested in Johan Bakayoko.
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