Former Liverpool star makes ‘match-winners’ claim after Newcastle United defeat at Man City

Danny Murphy has insisted Newcastle United can ‘take lots of positives’ from Saturday’s defeat at the hands of Manchester City.

The Magpies created several opportunities to take something from their visit to the reigning Premier League champions with Callum Wilson, Joelinton and Anthony Gordon all missing chances throughout the game.

However, City’s class told in the end as they kept pace with current leaders Arsenal with a 2-0 win thanks to a goal in each half from England star Phil Foden and substitute Bernardo Silva.

Speaking during Match of the Day’s analysis of the game, former Liverpool and Fulham midfielder Murphy insisted City’s ‘knowhow and experience’ was the main difference between the two sides - but he did reserve some praise for the performance of Howe’s side.

Speaking on Match of the Day, Murphy said: “I agree with what Eddie Howe said, they played really well, good pressing. They can take lots of positives from that performance.

“They’ve got nothing to worry about, there was so many good things. City’s knowhow, their experience, they get the job done, it’s just there for all to see, even on occasions when they don’t play well. They’ve got match-winners.”

Murphy did point to an error from Magpies captain Kieran Trippier after his misplaced pass instigated the move that led to Silva grabbing City’s second goal of the day.

He said: “Tripper, again, another good performance, made very few mistakes, but the one he did when Newcastle were in the ascendancy, he gets punished for. He could have played it long, he could have played it right, he’s played a little one in there, it gets nicked and City being City, they hurt you, they punish you.”

Newcastle will hope to end their underwhelming run of form and boost their hopes of securing a Champions League spot when they host Wolverhampton Wanderers next Sunday afternoon.