“I Know What I Bring” – Jacob Murphy Hits Back Hard at Newcastle Critics After Rocket Goal
Newcastle United winger Jacob Murphy has delivered a pointed response to his critics after producing a moment of genuine quality in the Magpies’ 1-1 draw with Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday afternoon.
The 31-year-old’s first goal of the season was a 25-yard left-footed screamer that left Bernd Leno with no chance, temporarily putting Newcastle ahead before Rodrigo Muniz equalised just three minutes later.
Speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle in the aftermath of the game, Murphy made it clear he is fully aware of the external noise surrounding his role at the club.
“I think for some people my playing style may not be for them but I know what I bring and it is effective. Believe me,” he said, in a statement that has already sparked plenty of debate among the Newcastle fanbase.
The goal itself was classic Murphy. Collecting a loose ball just inside the Fulham half, he drove forward, cut inside onto his left foot and unleashed a ferocious strike that arrowed into the far corner.
It was his 26th goal in Newcastle colours and one he believes will rank among his best. “I think that will be a good one for the goal catalogue,” he added. “It was good to see it go in and at that point we were probably thinking we were going to walk away with three points there, which we are disappointed that we didn’t.”
Murphy also revealed he had been looking for a teammate in a better position before deciding to shoot.
“I looked up to see if I had a team-mate in a better position. I couldn’t see one so I knew I was in a good position to shoot so I did and it went in.” The strike briefly lifted the travelling support and looked set to secure a much-needed victory for Matthias Jaissle’s side after a difficult recent run of results.
However, the lead lasted barely three minutes. Fulham substitute Rodrigo Muniz capitalised on a messy sequence inside the Newcastle penalty area to force the ball home and ensure the points were shared.
Murphy admitted the late equaliser was hard to take, particularly given the manner in which Newcastle had controlled large parts of the contest.
“That is frustrating, especially when I think we were really front-footed and committed to what the game plan was today,” he explained. “We will watch that back and find ways we could have stopped it. I think there were positives to take from it today and Fulham are not to be taken lightly.
They are a really good team who play a really good brand of football and I think we limited their strengths today.
I think you have seen today that was a committed performance. Everyone followed the game plan to a tee and like I said we stifled their patterns and the brand of football they wanted to play and turned it in our favour so I hope everyone can see the commitment and it is a group of lads that are really trying.”
Beyond the goal, Murphy also addressed his wider role within the Newcastle squad. The winger has long been viewed as one of the more experienced voices in the dressing room, even if he was not named in Jaissle’s official five-man player leadership group for the current campaign. That group currently consists of captain Dan Burn, vice-captain Joelinton, Malick Thiaw, Yoane Wissa and Lewis Miley.
Murphy, however, insists his responsibilities have not changed. “My position in the squad hasn’t changed from the last few years,” he told BBC Radio Newcastle. “I have always been for the last few years a senior player.
Even when we had all of the names that we had last year, I was always seen as a leader. That has not changed now. I try to influence people, keep the boys in check, try and set the standard, try and communicate as much as I can but it takes total buy-in from everyone. You have to be willing to listen and learn.”
He continued: “It is the responsibility of all of the older players to show the younger lads what this league is about and what it is going to take. It is not as simple as get through the week, you turn up and then you get to play in the Premier League. This is the top league in the world so we are getting there, we are learning the importance but with that it is going to take time as well.
My role has not changed, it is to add value whenever I can and I had a specific role today which I thought I carried out very well. It gave some solidity to the team and good structure and on another day I walk away with two assists and a goal.”
Murphy’s importance to the current squad was underlined over the summer when Newcastle rejected significant interest from Nottingham Forest. The Midlands club had a bid of around £10million turned down before returning with an improved £15million offer on deadline day. Jaissle made it clear he wanted to keep the experienced winger, valuing both his on-pitch contribution and his influence in a relatively young squad.
The German head coach has previously spoken warmly about Murphy’s intelligence and professionalism. “He’s a really important player for our squad, not only on the pitch, also off the pitch,” Jaissle said earlier in the season. “A leader who also communicates well and knows what it means to be professional. So I really appreciate him. On the pitch… he’s so smart, so game intelligent. He knows exactly his strength and he knows how to deliver within our identity.”
There is an expectation that Murphy will sign a new contract at St James’ Park before the end of the current campaign, despite being in the final year of his existing deal. The club’s decision to reject Forest’s advances was widely seen as a statement of intent regarding the value they place on squad continuity and experienced heads during a transitional period under Jaissle.
Murphy’s celebration after the goal also attracted attention. The winger cupped his ear as he made his way towards the travelling Newcastle supporters, a gesture some interpreted as deliberately provocative given the criticism he has faced in recent months. Others simply saw it as a natural reaction from a player who has repeatedly had to answer questions about his place in the team.
The result itself leaves Newcastle with a point from a difficult away fixture. While the late equaliser was disappointing, Murphy was keen to focus on the positives. “I think we created some really good chances and I think that was a really strong showing and disappointed we didn’t walk away with three points but it was a point in a right direction.”
For a player who has spent nearly a decade on Tyneside since joining from Norwich City in 2017, moments like Saturday’s goal serve as a reminder of the enduring quality he can still produce. Whether that is enough to silence every critic remains to be seen, but Murphy’s message was unambiguous. He knows exactly what he brings to this Newcastle United side – and he is not about to start doubting it now.
Latest update as of November 8, 2026: Murphy’s comments have dominated the post-match discussion, with the winger’s combination of a stunning goal and forthright response ensuring the conversation around his future at St James’ Park remains firmly in the spotlight.