Newcastle United sailed to a big 4-0 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Picking up where they left off before the international break, Newcastle smashed Palace even despite Eddie Howe making changes ahead of the Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.
It was another prolific performance and Howe afforded a run out to some of the players who may not play against Dortmund.
Jacob Murphy, for example, opened the scoring with a perhaps rather fortunate goal before teeing up Anthony Gordon for his strike. He then assisted Callum Wilson for the third.
Watching on from the Sky Sports studio, pundit Paul Merson was particularly impressed.
Newcastle vs Crystal Palace: Paul Merson wowed by two Toon stars
Indeed, the Sky Sports pundit believes Murphy and Kieran Trippier struck up a brilliant connection down the right hand side.
“Down the right-hand side, Trippier and Murphy have been outstanding,” he said.
Jacob Murphy: How well did Newcastle star play vs Crystal Palace?
Not a particularly fashionable member of the squad prior to Howe’s arrival, the winger continues to flourish and operate on a level many may not have thought possible when he was struggling under Rafa Benitez and Steve Bruce.
As per WhoScored data, the 28-year-old played two key passes, joining Trippier in that respect. Elsewhere, his two shots both found the target and only Bruno Guimaraes produced more dribbles (3 to 1).
The fact he also chipped in with two clearances too underlines just what a hard worker Murphy is.
Though Miguel Almiron has largely been the starting right winger this season and will surely feature from the off against Dortmund given his performance against Paris Saint-Germain, the former Norwich man is certainly putting pressure on him.
He may not always get the plaudits but Murphy is one of a number of players who have seen their Newcastle career transformed by Howe’s appointment as manager.
Long may it continue.
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