‘Tireless’: Howe was really impressed with £12m Newcastle United player who ‘deserved all the accolades’ yesterday

By Ben Evans

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe was really impressed with winger Jacob Murphy against Brentford.

Howe was speaking to Newcastle’s official media on Twitter after their emphatic 5-1 win.

Murphy scored Newcastle’s second goal as the Magpies moved up to fifth in the Premier League.

It was a goal typical of the hard work Howe has demanded from his Newcastle side.

Callum Wilson jumped on a poor pass from goalkeeper David Raya and drove towards goal.

Once he’d committed the Brentford goalkeeper, he squared the ball to Murphy who avoided the scrambling Ben Mee to pass it into the empty net.

It was the 27-year-old’s first goal of the season, and he’s now matched his tally from the last campaign.

Howe really impressed with Murphy

Speaking after the match, Howe said: “Yeah, really pleased (Murphy was on the scoresheet). I think he deserved all the accolades after that performance.

“(He was) tireless, he was responsible for winning the ball with Bruno (Guimaraes) for his goal.

“So, I thought we pressured them very well out of possession, I thought we had good energy about the team.”

Murphy didn’t go into the season as first choice, and only started his first league game of the season last weekend.

The imminent return of Allan Saint-Maximin is going to make it hard for Murphy to maintain his place in the side.

However, he appears to have jumped ahead of Ryan Fraser in the pecking order, despite the Scot playing well on international duty.

Murphy originally arrived from Norwich City in 2017 for £12m.

He’s been sent on loan twice, but signed a six-year deal last year securing his long-term future at St. James’ Park.

It will be interested to see how many opportunities he gets going forward as Newcastle continue to improve their squad.

However, if Murphy can keep impressing Howe with his performances, he should continue to get opportunities.