The Newcastle United loanee has been in fine form since the campaign restarted, netting three goals and setting up four for Garry Monk’s men over the past month.

And the 25-year-old added a fourth – his ninth of the season overall – against Boro after just ten minutes, when his deflected effort looped in.

The visitors levelled through Paddy McNair before the break, but it took until stoppage time at the end of the second period for Neil Warnock’s men to win it as Britt Assombalonga struck to seal Boro’s place in the second tier for another term.

Murphy, who played the full 90 minutes, will return to St. James’ Park after a productive 12 months, in which he has made 44 appearances.

Freddie Woodman’s Swansea City, meanwhile, sealed a play-off spot on a typically eventful final day in the Championship on Wednesday.

The Swans thrashed Reading 4-1 at the Madejski Stadium – a game which the injured Woodman missed out on, as Erwin Mulder took over in goal for Steve Cooper’s men.

The 23-year-old stopper clocked up 43 appearances before suffering a hip injury in their defeat to Leeds ten days ago, and is unlikely to play any part in the play-offs.

Woodman kept 12 clean sheets at the Liberty Stadium, establishing himself as the number one after heading to south Wales on loan last summer.