Newcastle United stayed on course for Champions League contention with a vital and last gasp victory over Fulham at St James' Park.
On a day in which old boy Aleksandar Mitrovic fluffed his lines from the spot, it was left to £63million man Alexander Isak to grab some glory at the Gallowgate End as he pounced late on to a win which lifts Newcastle back into third place in the Premier League.
This victory may not have been as spectacular as some wins this season but in the fight for European football, these are the afternoons in which you have to hang in there. And Newcastle did that with style to march on to 38 points in the table.
READ MORE: Newcastle United vs Fulham highlights and reaction
It's also FIVE clean sheets in a row in the top-flight for Eddie Howe's men as they leapfrog Manchester United. Howe stuck with Joelinton for the clash against the Cottagers despite being pulled over by police for a drink driving charge in the early hours of Thursday morning.
The game started with Dan Burn winning a tussle in the corner with Aleksandar Mitrovic to set the tone for the afternoon. Moments later, Joe Willock had the game's first attempt at goal but sent his shot wide of the target. Bruno's pass forward into the box on five minutes found Sean Longstaff but his shot was deflected over after a last ditch challenge from Issa Diop.
Fulham tested Newcastle after a Kieran Trippier pass fell into the path of Willian. The former Chelsea star started an attack which saw Mitrovic's shot blocked and Kenny Tete sending an effort over the bar.
Callum Wilson won a corner on the right-hand side with 12 minutes played. Bruno Guimaraes made his way over to take it and after playing it short to Trippier, Fulham cleared their lines. A forward run by Diop with 15 minutes on the clock saw him find Willian who won a corner at the Gallowgate End.
Anders Pereira whipped the ball in but Joelinton forcefully cleared the danger with an excellent header. With 18 minutes played Bruno required treatment but got back on his feet after twisting his ankle when chasing down Joao Palhinha.
Wilson's header mid-way through the first half after Trippier's cross was easily gathered by Bernd Leno as Fulham held firm for the first quarter.
A Wilson shot on the turn on 38 minutes resulted in Leno palming the ball away to safety as Fulham continued to defend well. Longstaff won a free-kick five minutes before the break but Trippier's set-piece struck the wall. The half ended with Wilson getting clean through but striking at Leno.
Bruno also signalled to the bench that he had to come off with the player in tears and was consoled by Longstaff and Joelinton. Inevitably, Bruno was replaced by Allan Saint-Maximin with Joelinton dropping back into midfield.
United had an early chance at the start of the second half but Longstaff sent his effort over the bar. Joelinton won a dangerous free-kick on the hour mark at the Gallowgate End.
The fans chanted Trippier's name but it was Fabian Schar who struck it with the ball agonisingly striking the base of the post with Almiron unable to direct the rebound at goal. Moments later Wilson was fouled to present Newcastle with another opportunity from a set-piece.
Trippier lofted the ball forward but Leno came out and punched the ball to safety. The game really started to warm up when Burn upended Pereira but ref Rob Jones waved away Fulham's protests on 64 minutes.
Seconds later, Bobby Decordova-Reid went down after Trippier's challenge with Jones eventually consulted by VAR to check his monitor. The official pointed to the spot with Mitrovic taking on spot-kick duties at his old ground.
But while Mitrovic found the net at the Leazes End, the Serbian international struck the ball twice and the goal was chalked off with a free-kick awarded to Newcastle. Howe immediately introduced Alexander Isak for Willock with 21 minutes to go.
Howe made another change with five minutes to go as Jacob Murphy came on for Almiron. But was the £63million man Isak who pounced in the 89th minute. Longstaff and Trippier worked the ball well on the right-hand side with Wilson poking the ball across to Isak who nodded home from close range.
As five minutes of stoppage time were displayed Newcastle simply had to hold on for a hard-fought victory. Howe's side done that in style to record a crucial win to take them back to third place.
Attendance: 52,247
Referee: Rob Jones (Merseyside)
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