Jacob Murphy has reacted to leading Newcastle United to a 1-0 win as captain at Chelsea on Saturday evening.
Guimaraes was missing due to a hamstring injury while Trippier, Burn and Pope were named on the bench. As the only member of Newcastle’s five-player leadership group in the starting line-up, Murphy was named as captain.
The boyhood Newcastle fan led Newcastle to a 1-0 win with Anthony Gordon scoring the only goal of the game to help the side secure a first win at Stamford Bridge since 2012.
Jacob Murphy holds captain’s armband aloft in front of travelling NUFC supporters
Eddie Howe made a beeline for Murphy and pushed the winger to the front of the post-match celebrations in front of the travelling supporters.
The 31-year-old first went with a fist pump, then went back twice for more. The second time, he held the captain’s armband aloft before ending it all with a knee slide.
Despite the match being broadcast live on Sky Sports, the cameras cut away to show Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Everton.
Fortunately, the scenes were still captured away from the Sky Sports cameras.
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“Well, he did [deserve the full-time reception],” Howe said. “He's been magnificent since my time here. I can't speak highly enough of him on and off the pitch. Just selfless, wants to help the team. He's also a very, very good player. Very underrated in my opinion.
“He was elected as part of the leadership group by the players themselves, and I think that's the biggest accolade you can get. With all the other guys missing, it was his turn to lead the team, and that'll be a magical moment for him, being a Newcastle fan as a child. I'm delighted for him.”
Jacob Murphy on being Newcastle United captain
Reacting to taking the captaincy, Murphy told BBC Radio Newcastle: “Amazing. Yeah, I got told this morning and I was grinning for a long time.
“I’m delighted, a lot of hard work. The loyalty and the trust that the manager showed in me to give me the armband means a lot. Delighted to be able to lead these men out to war.”
It’s been nine years since Murphy joined Newcastle for £12million from Norwich City. At times, it didn’t look as though he would have a future on Tyneside after being sent on loan to West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield Wednesday.
But after finding his way back into the team under Steve Bruce to then establishing himself as a key member of Howe’s squad, Murphy has experienced quite the journey at St James’ Park.
Reflecting on that journey, Murphy said recently: “At West Brom, no. Then when I went to Sheffield Wednesday, yes, I could start seeing a resurgence. Everyone has a similar journey that they want to go on. There's just different paths. That was my path.
“Luckily, when I was on that loan at Sheffield Wednesday, everything started to click for me. I came back. That's where I feel Jacob Murphy 2.0 was formed.
“Personally, a good couple of seasons under Steve Bruce. Then the gaffer came in and the rest is history.”
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