Worse than Almiron: Howe must axe Newcastle "cheat" who averages 32.1 touches per game - opinion

Newcastle United will be looking to extend their nine-match unbeaten run in the Premier League when they make the trip to Stamford Bridge this afternoon to take on Chelsea.

The Magpies are one of the league’s most in-form sides and now sit 14th in the table, ten points clear of 18th-placed Burnley after five wins in their last six matches.

However, their incredible run of form will face its biggest test yet, with their hosts boasting nine wins from their last ten games in all competitions.

Eddie Howe’s side will do well to come away from west London with a result, but based on recent form, they have no reason not to play in exactly the same way in which they have been doing of late.

However, having played at Southampton on Thursday night, it would make sense for the 44-year-old to make some changes, and giving Jacob Murphy a rest would certainly be sensible.

The 27-year-old has played 308 minutes of league football over the last four matches, having had just 391 minutes in the top flight in the previous 12 games since Howe’s appointment.

Moreover, the winger has struggled  in front of goal, with his opening weekend strike against West Ham still his only goal of the campaign thus far. Indeed, in 95 appearances for the Magpies, Murphy has only found the back of the net on five occasions, contributing eight assists in that period.

Across his 22 league appearances this season, the winger is currently averaging just 32.1 touches per game and one shot on target every five matches.

Furthermore, the Englishman was subject to criticism from Martin Keown in recent months when Murphy appeared to dive in order to win a penalty against Aston Villa, with the ex-Arsenal defender calling him a “cheat”.

You would have to argue that, with