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Newcastle transfer blocked as bench hits out and Fulham turn air blue - 5 things

Newcastle United defender Dan Burn covers his face after Fulham take the lead
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


Newcastle United have missed the chance to move up to fourth place following a 2-1 defeat against Fulham at St James' Park.

Jacob Murphy fired Newcastle in front before half-time, but goals from Raul Jimenez and substitute Rodrigo Muniz turned the game on its head in the second half.

Here are five things we learned from the game.

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Fulham stun Newcastle in second half

Newcastle needed no reminding that Fulham could not be taken lightly. It was Fulham, after all, who inflicted Newcastle's first defeat of the season after thumping the Magpies 3-1 in the reverse fixture.

Fulham may have won just one of their previous five league games, but Marco Silva's side have triumphed at Chelsea, got a draw at league leaders Liverpool and even defeated high-flying Nottingham Forest on the road. For a reason.

That's why, even after going into half-time 1-0 up, Newcastle needed a second but only one side emerged after the break - and it was not the hosts. Martin Dubravka had to get down low to deny Emile Smith-Rowe while Raul Jimenez saw an effort deflected wide as Fulham peppered Newcastle's goal; even a playmaker like Bruno Guimaraes could only punt the ball forward to a purple shirt after the Magpies were pinned back.

Eddie Howe, Manager of Newcastle United, applauds the fans after the team's defeat
Eddie Howe, Manager of Newcastle United, applauds the fans after the team's defeat

A goal was coming and Fulham drew level after the hour mark. Sandro Tonali's attempted pass was pounced upon by Jimenez, who fed Adama Traore out on the right. Traore swung a cross into the box, which was hooked on by Antonee Robinson to Jimenez, who caught it first-time to level it up. If that was a body blow, well it got even worse late on; Fulham went on to win the game.

Fulham's bench makes difference

This game came too early for Callum Wilson. It will be another few weeks before Harvey Barnes returns to the match day squad. Miguel Almiron has departed.

William Osula, as a result, was the only forward in reserve for Newcastle - and even the Dane did not enter the fray until the 87th minute. How Newcastle needed a mid-season addition to take this squad on, but any hope of recruiting such a player was blocked as a result of the club's PSR situation.

With few game-changers in reserve, Eddie Howe did not turn to his bench until Fulham had equalised midway through the second half. The Newcastle boss introduced Kieran Trippier and Joe Willock for Tino Livramento and Joelinton and the pair were soon involved in the thick of it. In fact, Willock had a golden opportunity to put Newcastle back in front, after Alexander Isak cut the ball across, but the midfielder somehow got himself into a tangle and kicked the air. Willock did not let his head drop, though, and the midfielder teed up Isak inside the box just a few minutes later. The Sweden star rattled the crossbar.

Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Fulham FC
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Fulham FC

Those misses would prove costly when Andreas Pereira's free-kick was flicked in by fellow substitute Rodrigo Muniz at the death. It was the visitors' bench which ultimately made the difference.

Bench and crowd hit out at referee

It felt like St James' Park was about to erupt. Kieran Trippier's cross struck Timothy Castagne inside the box, which was the cue for even Eddie Howe, who usually leaves appeals to assistant Jason Tindall, to plead with the fourth official. The Newcastle bench were incensed when Sandro Tonali was booked for 'fouling' Adama Traore just a minute later. They were even angrier when Anthony Gordon did not get a foul in the 78th minute after Andreas Pereira cynically took the forward down. That was the final straw for Newcastle fans, who hissed: "You're not fit to referee!" at Chris Kavanagh.

Fortress St James' no more

Fulham fans felt so assured up in the gods that, by the closing minutes, it was the away end taunting: "'You're only here for the Fulham!' and 'You've seen Fulham - now f--- off home'.

Newcastle have now lost their last two home games, against Fulham and Bournemouth, having also tasted defeat on their own turf versus West Ham and Brighton this season. How the Magpies need to bring their A-game when Arsenal rock up at St James' on Wednesday night.

Jacob Murphy's goal is in vain

A tone was set in the opening half-an-hour. Fulham had the lion's share of possession, Newcastle had just one shot on target and Eddie Howe cut an agitated figure on the touchline. It got to the point where Sandro Tonali, who is not exactly a prolific goal scorer, took matters into his own hands and rattled the crossbar with a venomous effort from 30 yards.

Newcastle United's Jacob Murphy celebrates scoring the opening goal
Newcastle United's Jacob Murphy celebrates scoring the opening goal

It was a strike that reawakened the crowd and Newcastle broke the deadlock in the 37th minute. Dan Burn launched the ball down the left channel and Anthony Gordon skinned Timothy Castagne before racing past Joachim Andersen and drilling the ball across the box. The ball evaded Alexander Isak but there was Jacob Murphy arriving on the scene to lash home. What a way for Murphy to mark his 200th appearance for the club.

It looked like it was a nerve-settler. However, for the first time in more than a year, Newcastle lost a game after taking the lead.