Underrated Jacob Murphy leads timely Newcastle returns ahead of double Gameweek 31
ALL eyes were on Alexander Isak (£6.2m) at the King Power on Monday night but it was Jacob Murphy (£3.8m) who starred for Newcastle in their win over Leicester.
While the Swedish striker, who features in 35.4% of teams, had to settle for just two points, the Toon’s long-serving winger bagged a brace to pocket a cool 16 points.
Murphy’s goals came from two predatory finishes, the likes of which fans would expect from Isak.
The 30-year-old was well positioned at the back post to convert a wicked Tino Livramento (£2.9m) cross from close range inside the first two minutes.
Then in the 11th minute, he followed up an audacious long-range effort from Fabian Schar (£2.9m) and was perfectly placed when the ball cannoned back off the bar to gift him an unmissable chance with the home side’s defenders in a different postcode.
Harvey Barnes (£2.6m) inflicted further pain on his former club in the 34th minute as Newcastle essentially completed the job with an hour to spare.
It was another miserable night for the Foxes, who have now lost eight league games in a row without scoring a single goal in response!
Murphy’s 16-point haul has only been bettered by Brennan Johnson (£2.8m) in Gameweek 30 thus far but that may change as there are five European fixtures still to come.
The aforementioned Livramento, Schar and Barnes also notched double-digit hauls and Dream Team managers would do well to consider Eddie Howe’s troops ahead of Gameweek 31.
Newcastle are among the select group of seven clubs set to pull double duty next Gameweek and one of just two teams (Chelsea being the other) with the luxury of two home fixtures.
The Carabao Cup winners welcome Manchester United and Crystal Palace to St James’ Park as they continue their quest for Champions League qualification.
Murphy has to be considered a viable differential option for this double header as he currently features in just 1.1% of teams.
He has registered ten goal involvements in 16 games since the turn of the year.
In fact, Murphy is statistically the fourth-most in-form midfielder in the game right now with only Morgan Rogers (£4.2m), Eberechi Eze (£4.7m) and Bruno Fernandes (£7m) having taken more points from their last three outings.
Naturally, gaffers inclined to target Newcastle’s fixtures in Gameweek 31 will consider Isak first and foremost.
The prolific 25-year-old was a doubt prior to kick-off on Monday night having complained of a groin niggle against Brentford last time out but he was fit enough to start against Leicester.
While Isak wasn’t able to capitalise on Ruud van Nistelrooy’s beleaguered troops, Howe provided a positive update on his condition after the final whistle.
“I think he’s 100% fit,” Newcastle’s head coach said of his star striker. “I wouldn’t have taken any risks with him tonight if he wasn’t.
“I don’t think we’ll have to manage him from this point onwards, fingers crossed he’ll be fine.”
Experienced Dream Team bosses will know to take Howe’s availability updates with a pinch of salt but it seems as if Isak will get two proper run outs in Gameweek 31.
This is big news in the world of Dream Team as Isak is currently the most transferred-out player ahead of Saturday’s deadline.
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