Eddie Howe praises Jacob Murphy for ‘brilliant’ impact ‘behind the scenes’ at Newcastle

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Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe thinks Jacob Murphy is ‘brilliant behind the scenes’ with his commitment in training. So, the winger delivering against Wolves thrilled his boss.

The 28-year-old made just his sixth start in a Premier League game so far this season in the Toon’s 2-1 win last Saturday. Murphy repaid Howe’s decision to field him ahead of Miguel Almiron with a busy performance. He ran himself into the ground covering the right wing.

With and without the ball, Murphy sought to make a difference and proved a real handful for Nelson Semedo. He was happy to cover the hard yards that Newcastle’s other forwards neglected. It would lead to his second-longest appearance in the top-flight so far this term

Jacob Murphy pleased Eddie Howe on his rare start for Newcastle

Only against Fulham on October 1 has Murphy featured for longer than the 85 minutes he played against Wolves. Howe had also not started the forward in a Premier League fixture since visiting Southampton on November 6. He played 10 times as a substitute in between.

Murphy is still without a second goal or a second assist for the season over the Newcastle star’s 25 appearances. Through just 669 minutes – the equivalent of 7.5 full matches – the London-born winger only scored against Brentford on October 8 and assisted at the Saints.

Eddie Howe admires the forward’s total commitment in training

Yet despite Murphy’s lack of chances, the forward’s total commitment in training remains untarnished and delights Newcastle boss Howe. The Toon head coach has praised the ex-England U21 international for his efforts at Darsley Park and for his impact against Wolves.

“He’s brilliant behind the scenes,” Howe said, via quotes by Chronicle Live. “A real positive energy every day in training. He works and hones his skills meticulously. He’s a real player that wants to invest time and try and elevate his game to another level.

“I’m really pleased to see him come in and do well on the back of that work. I thought he was excellent last week.”

Murphy will hope Howe’s praise for his efforts in training and as Newcastle edged Wolves leads to further starts. He has not opened back-to-back Premier League fixtures since the Magpies faced Fulham, Brentford, Manchester United and Everton in a row last October.