LAURA WOODS: JACOB MURPHY IS PREMIER LEAGUE’S MOST UNDERRATED PLAYER
MY FAVOURITE GROUND TO PRESENT FROM
The final of the Qatar World Cup was one of the most amazing games I’ve watched live. The feeling in the ground watching Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe work their magic was one of the biggest spectacles I’ve ever witnessed but I’m going to go a bit left field here…
I worked on the FA Cup in 2019 where Manchester City travelled to Rodney Parade in the fifth round to play Newport County, who were 75 places below them in the football pyramid.
The ground is shared between the football and rugby team – and it was a bog. I was working for talkSPORT with Ian Holloway and we had such a laugh.
When the City players arrived, they had to walk across the pitch to get to their little, rundown changing rooms with tiles on the wall like an old swimming pool.
As they made their way there the Newport fans that had arrived early started chanting “who the f***ing hell are you?!” and other expletives.
The abuse continued throughout the game and the atmosphere was absolutely raucous, especially when Newport scored in the 88th minute!
Leroy Sane and Phil Foden helped the Premier League side clean up but I remember the City players staying to take pictures with the Newport County fans as well as the players and staff after the game and being clapped off as they left. It was class.
THE PREMIER LEAGUE’S MOST UNDERRATED PLAYER
Most underrated player this season for me is Jacob Murphy.
Eight goals, 11 assists so far this season and has turned up for some really big moments like scoring in the EFL Cup semi-final and assisting in the final.
He was never a starter and isn’t as easy on the eye as Anthony Gordon or Alexander Isak, but his work rate is phenomenal in attack and defence when he’s needed.
He’s also one of the loveliest men in football in general… such a good interviewee and always so happy!
THE PREMIER LEAGUE’S PLAYER TO WATCH NEXT SEASON
Miles Lewis-Skelly has been incredible for Arsenal – to get man of the match on his England debut shows what kind of mentality he has.
He’s confident, aggressive and has all the talent to back it up. Also I love how he gets under people’s skin.
You know you have a real talent when the rest of the football universe has something to say about him week in, week out.
He’s been key for Arsenal this season, was brilliant against Real Madrid and I can see him kicking on even more next season.
He’s going to be a big part of Arsenal’s squad for many years to come.
LAURA WOODS’ GOLDEN GOALS PICKS FOR MATCHDAY 35
- Leicester 2-1 Southampton
- Everton 1-0 Ipswich
- Arsenal 2-0 Bournemouth
- West Ham 2-0 Tottenham
- Brentford 2-1 Manchester United
- Chelsea 1-2 Liverpool
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