Harvey Barnes Advocates For Jacob Murphy's England Call-Up Following Stellar Performance Against Crystal Palace

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Harvey Barnes humorously suggested joining a campaign for Jacob Murphy to be called up to the England squad. This came after Murphy's standout performance in Newcastle United's 5-0 victory over Crystal Palace. The win marked Newcastle's biggest Premier League triumph at home since their 6-1 win against Tottenham in April 2023.

Murphy was instrumental in the match, scoring the opening goal with a powerful shot and assisting Fabian Schar for the fourth goal. His recent form has been impressive, with 17 goal involvements in his last 18 Premier League matches, matching his total from his previous 59 appearances.

The Magpies have now scored nine goals in two consecutive Premier League games, including a 4-1 victory over Manchester United. This surge has propelled them above Nottingham Forest to third place. Barnes expressed satisfaction with their current position, stating, "We knew it was going to be a test tonight. We started the game so well and got a comfortable lead."

Murphy emphasised the importance of maintaining momentum as they aim for Champions League qualification for the second time in three seasons. He acknowledged that starting strong was crucial and expressed happiness about scoring the first goal. "We always knew that the first goal was going to be really important," he said.

Despite head coach Eddie Howe's absence due to pneumonia, Murphy shared that everyone is keeping in touch with him as he recovers. "Everyone has shared texts with [Eddie], and he's on the road to recovery," Murphy mentioned. The team is determined to continue performing well in Howe's absence.

Assistant coach Jason Tindall praised the team's execution of their pre-game plan, which focused on aggression and maintaining high standards. "We spoke pre-game about maintaining the standards we set ourselves at the weekend," Tindall noted.

Looking Ahead

Murphy stressed that while they are pleased with their current standing, they remain focused on future challenges. "We're not studying [the table] too hard," he said, acknowledging that many weekends remain and much can change. The team aims to stay consistent and deliver strong performances.

The Magpies' recent success reflects their hard work and determination, qualities that have been instilled by Howe and his coaching staff. As they continue their campaign, maintaining this momentum will be key to achieving their goals.