Newcastle concluded a difficult week by beating ten-man Fulham 3-0 at St James’ Park on Saturday afternoon.
17-year-old Lewis Miley released the shackles early in the second half by opening the scoring with his first-ever goal for the club. Miguel Almiron bagged a second soon after before Dan Burn added a third with ten minutes remaining.
The Magpies, who secured their first win in three across all competitions, were aided greatly by Raul Jimenez’s early red card.
The result lifted Newcastle up to sixth in the Premier League, while Fulham were overtaken by Chelsea and will end the day in 11th.
How the game unfolded
Given Newcastle’s domestic home form and the swagger Fulham carried heading into the contest, an entertaining contest was expected at St James’ Park.
However, Jimenez’s early dismissal for a reckless challenge shifted the dynamic of the bout entirely. From that moment on, it was a matter of whether the beleaguered hosts could break down Fulham’s stubborn resolve.
The Magpies lost both Fabian Schar and Joelinton to injuries early on, and it was the visitors who had the best chance of the opening period. Alex Iwobi, however, was denied by Martin Dubravka after racing clear.
Newcastle probed and were patient in possession, but Bernd Leno had hardly been worked by the time the half-time whistle blew.
Fulham would’ve been emboldened by the scoreline at the break, and St James’ Park was a nervous theatre at the start of the second period. However, Miley’s first Newcastle goal facilitated a collective sigh of relief around the Toon and the result wasn’t ever in doubt thereafter.
Anthony Gordon’s drive led to Almiron rather strangely tapping home into an empty net, and Newcastle’s eventually convincing win was topped off by Burn getting on the scoresheet. Sven Botman also made his first appearance in three months as a late substitute.
GK: Martin Dubravka – 6/10 – Dubravka had a couple of saves to make after Fulham went down to ten, but the quality of the visitors’ finishing made life easy for the Newcastle keeper.
RB: Tino Livramento – 7/10 – Switched over to the left after Schar went off and offered a distinct threat throughout. A constant presence in the final third, Livramento impressed yet again for the Magpies and should’ve ended the bout with an assist or two.
CB: Jamaal Lascelles – 6/10 – A quiet outing for Lascelles. Fulham rarely threatened down his channel.
CB: Fabian Schar – N/A – Pulled up after ten minutes with a hamstring injury.
LB: Dan Burn – 8/10 – Burn was superb on his return. The defender made a couple of decisive interventions on either side of half-time before he got on the scoresheet
CM: Bruno Guimaraes – 9/10 – The Brazilian may not have been particularly efficient in the opening period, but he was Newcastle’s standout player when the score was 0-0. It was Guimaraes’ quick feet which led to Miley’s opener, and he had total control of the midfield in the second half. Arguably his best showing of the season.
CM: Joelinton – 5/10 – The midfielder pulled up minutes after setting up Iwobi for a glorious chance with an errant back pass.
CM: Sean Longstaff – 6/10 – Surging runs into the half-space weren’t frequent, but he should’ve done more with an effort from inside the area after being found by Livramento. Still working his way back into the swing of things.
RW: Miguel Almiron – 7/10 – The Paraguayan was seemingly involved every time Newcastle pushed forward. Almiron produced mixed results for the most part, but he did get on the scoresheet.
ST: Callum Wilson – 6/10 – The striker was a nuisance more than anything. Battled with Tosin and had a role to play in the second goal as Gordon had initially slid Wilson through before the ball trickled to Almiron.
LW: Anthony Gordon – 7/10 – After an inefficient first half, Gordon offered plenty of drive after the restart. His improvement after the break was critical to Newcastle’s eventual win.
Substitutes
SUB: Emil Krafth (14′ for Schar) – 6/10
SUB: Lewis Miley (36′ for Joelinton) – 8/10
SUB: Matt Ritchie (84′ for Livramento) – N/A
SUB: Sven Botman (84′ for Burn) – N/A
SUB: Lewis Hall (84′ for Gordon) – N/A
Subs not used: Loris Karius (GK), Mark Gillespie (GK), Paul Dummett, Alex Murphy
Manager
Eddie Howe – 7/10 – A much-needed win. It feels like Howe deserves to be commended for any victory Newcastle achieve given their mountain of injuries. Another two players succumbed in the first half today.
GK: Bernd Leno – 6/10 – The German ensured the score remained 0-0 at half-time, but there was little he could’ve done to stop Newcastle from taking the lead. Questionable work for the hosts’ second.
RB: Timothy Castagne – 5/10 – There was little by way of attacking thrust, and Newcastle had some joy overloading the Belgian down his flank before he was withdrawn on the hour.
CB: Tosin Adarabioyo – 6/10 – May have won the duel with Callum Wilson, but Tosin struggled in possession when it was 11v11. Defended the box pretty well.
CB: Issa Diop – 7/10 – Diop made an excellent intervention to deny Almiron at the start of the second half. The pressure eventually told, but Diop had impressed before Fulham fell behind.
LB: Antonee Robinson – 5/10 – Offered some dynamism down the left and did pose somewhat of a threat. However, this was hardly the stoutest of defensive displays.
CM: Joao Palhinha – 7/10 – His typical industrious self and would’ve relished the man disadvantage, but even his best efforts couldn’t prevent a Fulham defeat. Picked up a customary booking.
CM: Tom Cairney – 7/10 – Diligent without the ball, and provided moments of quality in possession to help Fulham get up the pitch.
RM: Harry Wilson – 6/10 – Combined well in the early stages, but stood out for his defensive effort thereafter.
AM: Andreas Pereira – 4/10 – Was rarely involed after Fulham went down to ten. Made a lazy attempt to dispossess Guimaraes in the build-up to Miley’s opener.
LM: Alex Iwobi – 4/10 – Given that the visitors were a man down, Iwobi simply had to score his chance in the first half.
ST: Raul Jimenez – 1/10 – Dismissed after 20 minutes with an utterly ludicrous challenge on Longstaff. Harald Schumacher would’ve been proud.
Substitutes
SUB: Kenny Tete (61′ for Castagne) – 5/10
SUB: Rodrigo Muniz (61′ for Pereira) – 4/10
SUB: Sasa Lukic (76′ for Cairney) – 5/10
SUB: Harrison Reed (76′ for Palhinha) – 6/10
SUB: Bobby De Cordova Reid (77′ for Iwobi) – 5/10
Subs not used: Marek Rodak (GK), Fode Ballo-Toure, Willian, Carlos Vinicius
Manager
Marco Silva – 6/10 – Jimenez scuppered his grand plans of a St James’ Park upset.
Player of the match – Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle)
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