Sometimes the sneaky wins are the ones to savour. Fulham made most of the running, created most of the chances and produced most of the best skill. As for Newcastle, they began the game in survival mode, could have been out of it after 30 minutes and appeared to be on the brink of collapse after seeing Joe Willock become the latest player to limp off injured.
At one point Fabian Schär, having stretched to head another teasing delivery from Fulham away, could be seen bellowing at his teammates to show more care in possession. Over on the touchline, Eddie Howe and Jason Tindall frowned and tried to work out how to lift their side. It was telling that Howe jumped at the chance to give his players a tactical debrief – and perhaps a few choice words about their attitude – after Martin Dubravka, Newcastle’s goalkeeper, went down for treatment after 21 minutes of total dominance from Fulham.
Marco Silva, Fulham’s manager, would later make a pointed remark about the number of times Dubravka broke up play by sinking to the turf. Any suggestions of gamesmanship were batted away by Howe, though. He preferred to focus on Newcastle’s defensive resilience and punch in attack after Bruno Guimarães punished Fulham’s wasteful finishing by seizing on a mistake from Antonee Robinson and hammering in the only goal with nine minutes left.
“We were second best,” Newcastle’s manager said. “But we managed to find a way to stay in the game. We were tired but it was an incredible response. It was a change of attitude that made the difference. It’s up there with one of the best wins of the season.”
It could be crucial. There has been a lot of talk about Newcastle’s financial position, along with suggestions that the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations could force them into selling Guimarães this summer. Much depends on the next few weeks. Howe would surely have more money for signings and a better chance of building around the Brazil midfielder if Newcastle, a point off sixth-placed Manchester United, qualify for Europe again.
Doing so will be likelier if Harvey Barnes keeps affecting games from the bench. Howe, who praised Schär and Dan Burn for holding firm in central defence, was happy after the winger came on and played a big role in Guimarães’s goal.
It was tough on Fulham, who remain in 13th place after three games without a win. They looked rejuvenated after their collapse against Nottingham Forest. Willian was at it after a minute, starting a flowing move with a midair flick. Tosin Adarabioyo strode out of defence and combined with Robinson, overlapping from left-back.
The chances piled up, João Palhinha and Willian missing the target, Rodrigo Muniz shooting too close to Dubravka. “We had the chances,” Silva said. “It is really important to be clinical when you are on the front foot, when your momentum is so high. The second half was not so good.”
Newcastle, whose problems grew when Willock made way for Elliot Anderson, hung on. They were depleted again, the absence of 11 players limiting Howe’s options, although they improved as the half wore on. Guimarães became a steadying influence in midfield and there was a warning for Fulham when Alexander Isak found space in the area, only to let Sean Longstaff’s pass squirm away from him.
Anthony Gordon, who kept running at Timothy Castagne on the left, stirred as well. The winger twice went close before half-time and he was key to Newcastle making a bold start to the second half. Bernd Leno had to save well after Gordon swerved past Castagne on the left.
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Fulham responded through Andreas Pereira, who tested Dubravka from 18 yards, but both sides dipped after the hour. The benches became key. Barnes came on for Newcastle. Schär had a goal disallowed after Jarred Gillett, the VAR, advised Sam Allison to check the pitchside monitor and assess Burn’s challenge on Calvin Bassey. A foul was the right call.
Newcastle shook off their disappointment. Barnes, impressive as a substitute against West Ham last week, soon charged down the left. Fulham were floundering and when Robinson’s clearance fell to Guimarães, the Brazilian had time to take a touch before firing a low shot past Leno. Newcastle dug deep.
