Fulham 1-4 Newcastle United | Match Report

Despite all the travel disruptions, over 2,300 Geordies made the trip to Craven Cottage this weekend as Premier League football returned following an international break.

Fulham manager Marco Silva named two former Magpies in his starting eleven, Kevin Mbabu and Alexander Mitrovic. Mitrovic has been in fine form so far this season and will want to continue that for as long as possible. Kevin Mbabu makes his full home debut for his new side since his arrival from Wolfsburg.  Eddie Howe named Callum Wilson in a side full of changes due to injuries in the camp. Allan Saint-Maximin misses out as he is still recovering from a knock. Jacob Murphy earned a place in the starting eleven somehow as Ryan Fraser had to settle for a seat on the bench.

The game got off to a fiery start, Kevin Mbabu landed a crunchy tackle on Joe Willock in the opening minutes of the game which gave an indication of how tough the game was going to be. Nathaniel Chalobah received his marching orders just after five minutes of play when he clattered into Sean Longstaff which left the latter rolling around the floor like he’d just been shot. Darren England originally branded a yellow card but after a lengthy VAR check, it was overturned and a red was given. Newcastle immediately took advantage of having the extra man as they took the lead in the 11th minute through their talisman Callum Wilson. Kieran Trippier whipped a ball in that was headed back across goal by Joe Willock and all Callum Wilson had to do was tuck it away at the back post.

Newcastle deservedly lead and the travelling fans are having a great time.  The visiting side continued to dominate the possession and not give the hosts any chance of pulling it back. Miguel Almiron doubled the advantage rather spectacularly in the 33rdminute. Bruno Guimaraes lofted the ball over the Fulham defence and Miggy beautifully guided his first time volley into the top corner of the net and Bernd Leno could only watch it sail past him. Things went bad to worse for Fulham as Alexander Mitrovic had to be withdrawn as he hobbled to the touch line with what looked like a recurring injury from the international break. Newcastle born Sean Longstaff made it 3-0 just before the interval to top off a dominated first half display.  

The hosts got the second half underway and so did their attempt at damage limitation but for Newcastle, it was just a case of picking up from where they left off. Wor Miggy got his second goal of the game just before the hour mark. Jacob Murphy played in Joe Willock who squared the ball across for Almiron to tap it in. Eddie Howe made his first change of the game on the hour mark when he brought Elliott Anderson on for Bruno Guimaraes, Bruno has just returned from injury so Howe wouldn’t want to risk any further injuries. Fulham didn’t register their first shot at goal until the 60th minute and even then it wasn’t on target.

Miggy thought he got his hat-trick with 70 minutes played when he nearly curled his effort past Bernd Leno but he just mistimed his run a bit too early. Despite the flag being raised, the ever present smile couldn’t be wiped from his face. A delightful player who you can’t not like. Fulham finally registered their first shot on target in the 89th minute and got on the scoresheet. A good ball was whipped in from the left hand side, Bobby Reid got in front of his marker Jamaal Lewis and heads past Nick Pope who couldn’t do anything. Substitute Ryan Fraser neatly dinked the ball over Bernd Leno just before the final whistle but was offside by the finest of margins. Full Time: Fulham 1 Newcastle United 4.

Sutty’s Full Time Thoughts: An all round good performance from the Magpies. Yes, Fulham had a man sent off early doors but they weren’t in the game at all. Newcastle’s defence looked disciplined and organised despite the Fulham goal. I am over the moon for Miggy Almiron, you can’t fault his work ethic and commitment to the shirt so he deserves those goals which were well taken. Eddie Howe played the subs game to perfection and he will be happy with how his side performed. Next up for Newcastle is a visit to St James’ Park from Brentford and hopefully another three points. That’s us up to 7th in the table for now, we just need to keep up the momentum from today. Howay the lads!

Fulham Line Up: B Leno, L Kurzawa (45+2, I Diop), T Adarabioyo, T Ream ©, K Mbabu (45+3, T Cairney), H Reed, N Chalobah, B De Cordova-Reid, A Pereria, D James (70, N Kebano), A Mitrovic (37, C Vinicius).

Fulham Bench: M Rodak, S Duffy, I Diop, S Parkes, N Kebano, T Cairney, J Onomah, L Harris, C Vincius.

Newcastle United Line Up: N Pope, K Trippier ©(83, J Lewis), S Botman, F Schar (83, J Lascelles), D Burn (83, M Targett), J Willock, S Longstaff, B Guimaraes (59, E Anderson), J Murphy, C Wilson (66, R Fraser), M Almiron.

Newcastle United Bench: L Karius, P Dummett, J Lascelles, J Lewis, M Targett, R Fraser, E Anderson, Joelinton, C Wood.

Match Officials: Darren England (Referee), James Mainwaring & Wade Smith (Assistants), Tim Robinson (Fourth Official), Mike Dean (VAR), Harry Lennard (Assistant VAR).

Match Attendance: 22,913

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