‘Our best player’, ‘Cool as Messi’ - Newcastle fans hail star’s impact despite defeat against Man City

The Toon Army in the Transfer Tavern were not overly disheartened by their side’s defeat against Manchester City at The Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening.

Rafa Benitez took his side to Manchester City on Saturday knowing full well that it would take an extraordinary performance to defeat the league-leaders. Unfortunately for the travelling Newcastle supporters, their side failed to produce a performance worthy of damaging City’s title aspirations as they suffered a 3-1 defeat.

The Magpies record against The Citizens in recent years is truly abysmal, and their weekend defeat means they have now failed to record victory in their last 21 Premier League fixtures against City.

However, there was one minor positive for Newcastle to take away from Manchester, as Jacob Murphy scored his first goal in the Premier League since his transfer to the North-East from Norwich City last summer.

Murphy has failed to hold down a regular starting berth in Benitez’s side this season, but he was boosted into the starting eleven for Newcastle’s weekend clash, and he rewarded his mangers faith with a fine finish to half the deficit in the second-half.

Ciaran Clark played one of the passes of his career to dissect City’s defence and send Murphy through on goal in the 67th minute, and Murphy made no mistake in steaming away from Oleksandr Zinchenko before delightfully dinking the ball over the onrushing Ederson into the back of the net.

Although the goal ultimately counted for nothing at the final-whistle, the Toon Army were still eager to congratulate the winger for his impact on Twitter.

Here’s what the Newcastle fans had to say about Murphy’s first-goal for the club…

https://twitter.com/Rayflynn40/status/955143413237731328

Absolute madness at the away end when this went in!! Thanks for making our day

— Steffan Lloyd Owen (@Steffan_Ll_Owen) January 21, 2018

Knew you had it in u lad. Nice to see a local lad play for the team again. Any chance u have ten more of those goals in u by any chance tho?

— Daniel Mutch (@DanielMutch1) January 21, 2018

Your the best young talent I’ve seen come to mine his club soooo glad your hear lad hope we sign your brother aswell he’s quality #NUFC

— Jack Farr (@JackFarr11) January 21, 2018

Great finish Jacob, you’re getting better every game. Keep working hard

— B A Z_L A T I M E R (@baz_lat) January 21, 2018

Outstanding performance on the day lad, starting to really come into your own… long may it continue!

— Kris (@geordiekris83) January 21, 2018

Great finish @JacobMurphy95 – composure and maturity beyond your years. Keep it going young ‘un!! #Toon

— Chris Narey (@ChrisNarey1415) January 21, 2018

https://twitter.com/StevenRevely/status/954999031385808896