Alexander Isak looked horrified, Anthony Gordon was inconsolable as he dropped to his knees at the final whistle and Sandro Tonali's disgusted expression summed things up after Newcastle United lost 2-1 to Fulham.

In doing so the Magpies have now lost back to back home games and blew a big opportunity to cement a Champions League position against a side four places below them. Was this complacency after taking the lead? Or was it Carabao Cup jitters with a huge season defining game just around the corner in midweek against Arsenal?

Perhaps this may give Newcastle the kick up the behind they need ahead of the semi-final second leg against the Gunners. But big questions will be needed in the instant inquest that will follow.

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With 48 hours of the transfer window to go, is this the time for some drastic action and some risks to be taken with PSR or some wheeling and dealing. It does feel like something needs freshening up.

The Cottagers won the toss and opted to shoot to the Leazes End in the first half meaning Newcastle were forced to switch around. United created a couple of chances in the first three minutes with Jacob Murphy whipping the ball in for Isak but the striker fluffing his lines, moments later it was worked back in for Bruno Guimaraes but he headed just over.

Fulham - operating with a 4-2-3-1 formation - made it to the 15-minute mark with the game locked at 0-0 with Adam Traore looking dangerous on the break. Murphy burst through as the game moved into the mid-way stage of the first half but lashed wide at Gallowgate.

Joachim Andersen became the first player booked when upending Isak on 17 minutes and handed Newcastle a free-kick on the left. He was soon followed by Sander Berge, who was cautioned for pulling back Bruno.

With 26 minutes played, Anthony Gordon loaded one up for Joelinton but a heavy effort saw him fire the ball into the upper half of the Gallowgate End. Two minutes later, Fulham stopper Bernd Leno was forced into a save after Fabian Schar made a forward run into the box after good work from Bruno and Joelinton.

But Leno rushed out to block the effort when Schar looked a good bet to break the deadlock. There were just 10 minutes before half-time when Sandro Tonali's scorching effort clipped the crossbar.

Had it gone in it would have been a contender for goal of the month with a rocket from 35 yards. The resultant aftermath saw Blyth lad Dan Burn foul Calvin Bassey and pick up a yellow card.

With the goal frame still quivering, United then snatched the lead with 37 minutes on the clock and it would come from a man in form. Gordon flew down the left-hand side before his cross was deflected into the path of Murphy who fired home from 10 yards out.

Deemed unlucky with some recent goal attempts by his head coach Howe, Murphy made his own luck here with a sprint down the right-hand side and while the cross was probably intended for Isak he was in the right place at the right time to net his fourth of the campaign.

Livramento made a pulsating run down the right and ended up one on one with Leno but struck his effort at the keeper before the break. But Newcastle, who had Joelinton booked for a series of fouls, went in with a slender lead at half-time.

Fulham started the second half by piling on some pressure and on 56 minutes Raul Jimenez sent a shot just wide via a deflection. But the Mexico international didn't have to wait long to taste the joy of scoring at St James' Park.

Fulham's goal just after the hour mark was the result of a mix-up between Murphy and Sandro Tonali. The Italian's pass did not reach its intended recipient with Raul Jimenez steaming in to pinch the ball.

Jimenez then progressed up the field with the ball and played in Traore before Antonee Robinson clipped the ball to the ex-Wolves man who fired home the equaliser. Howe made changes soon after when throwing on Kieran Trippier and Joe Willock to try to change the rhythm of the match.

Newcastle thought they'd gone back ahead with 15 minutes left when Isak got free down the left but his effort clipped the woodwork after being slipped in by Willock. Seconds later, Tim Castagne blocked the ball with his arm but VAR ruled it was not a penalty for a handball in the box.

Tonali entered the book harshly after a foul on Traoré with 12 minutes left. The Magpies then slipped behind with eight minutes to go. Fulham sub Andreas Pereira was fouled by Gordon and the visitors were handed a free-kick deep on the left.

Pereira curled the ball towards goal with Rodrigo Muniz getting the slightest of touches to beat Dubravka from close range. But despite late pressure from Newcastle, Fulham held on to a big victory on Tyneside and the Magpies' Champions League hopes took a dent.

This could be quickly forgotten by the time Wednesday night comes around but all the same this was a poor defeat as Fulham completed a double over Howe's side.

Referee: Chris Kavanagh (Greater Manchester)

Attendance: 52,173