Lee Ryder reviews Ipswich 0-4 Newcastle
Jacob Murphy has made it clear that it isn't about the name on the back of Newcastle United's famous shirts these days - it is very much about the club crest on the front.
Murphy was electric against Ipswich Town as he had a hand in two goals and lashed home his third of the season at Portman Road. Having been Newcastle's star player in pre-season, Murphy appears to have recovered that form after a slow start to the campaign, something Eddie Howe explained in his post-game press conference.
This was the first time Newcastle had won in the Premier League wearing their white shirts with the old NUFC club crest finally tasting a competitive victory on a United jersey for the first time since the 1987/88 season!
Murphy said: "It's not about who scores, it's about the fact that we score - that is a big ethos of mine. I feel like that is filtering through the team, we are becoming a lot less selfish and we are creating chances for everybody.
"I don't need to score and assist to be enjoying my football. For me, it's about making positive contributions. Whether you're occupying the space or tracking a run, you just have to give everything on the field."
It's just a fortnight since Newcastle lost 4-2 at Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium - a result that sparked an internal investigation. But after beating Leicester City 4-0, the Bees 3-1 in the Carabao Cup and now Ipswich by another impressive 4-0 scoreline, things are looking rosy in the garden for Murphy and Co.
Murphy told BBC Newcastle: "That is three wins in one week now, so it's about building momentum from that and that is a good start for us.
"It was very good. It was enjoyable to be back in Norfolk and get a big win. We sent the fans home happy and it was a good day."
And referring to Murphy's form, with his recent run bearing similarities to his pre-season performances when goals and assists flowed freely, Howe said: "I think that’s in line with the team. Although we got some good results early in the season, we weren’t performing anywhere near the levels we can in those first four or five games.
"I’ve said many times, I think there’s a huge variety of reasons for that. But gradually, slowly but surely, we’ve been lifting our performances, definitely from the Brighton game onwards.
"There have been a few dips in there, where we haven’t performed, but the majority of our performances since that game have been much better. Naturally, I think we’re seeing players within the team performing much better and showing their normal performance levels.
"That’s great to see, and Jacob is one of those playing with renewed confidence. He looks a real threat, and I’m delighted for him."
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