Newcastle striker Daryl Murphy says he was disappointed he didn’t score on his debut against Wolves in the EFL Cup on Tuesday night.
The Irish international was finally given an opportunity to play by manager Rafa Benitez but he told the Northern Echo, he felt he could have scored on his first appearance for the club if he had taken his chances:
“You want your first touch to be good and you just ease into the game, really. I’m disappointed I didn’t score with a header and a chance in the second half that was blocked and the referee gave a goal kick. I had a few chances but that’s what you get when you play with lads like this, wingers who are going to put in crosses so you have to get in the box. I’m disappointed I didn’t score but overall it was a good debut.”
Then 33 year old knows he faces a tough fight to get game time at the Magpies with the calibre of strikers currently at the club. While Dwight Gayle has four goals since moving from Crystal Palace for £10.5million in the summer, Ayoze Perez has scored three in all competitions.
Aleksandar Mitrovic’s similar playing style will mean Murphy will be in direct competition with the Serbian for a starting place in upcoming mtches with both target men looking to impress manager Benitez. It will be intriguing to see which of the four forwards the Spaniard opts to play at Villa Park tomorrow.
