Bruno Guimaraes scored the winner in the 90th minute as Newcastle fought back for a hard-fought 2-1 victory over struggling Fulham at St James’ Park.
Eddie Howe’s side were on course for another frustrating afternoon in the Premier League after Saša Lukic canceled out Jacob Murphy’s first-half strike.
Frustration was mounting on Tyneside, especially after Bruno headed home the winner from eight yards, but the captain stepped up to break Fulham hearts, condemning Marco Silva’s side to a fourth successive league defeat.
Newcastle find a way as Fulham’s struggles continue
Fresh from a huge 3-0 win against Benfica in the Champions League in midweek, Eddie Howe spoke of Newcastle’s start to their Premier League campaign and they started like they meant business. Nick Woltemade should have scored as early as the fourth minute but his shot from six yards hit the upright as Fulham weathered an early storm.
Just when it looked like Silva’s side had got a grip on the game, they struck on the counter as Murphy fought past Calvin Bessie to get in on goal and fire a low shot past Bernd Lehn into the back of the net over the post.
Newcastle United’s Jacob Murphy celebrates his first goal of the game
Fulham were still a threat despite going behind, but it was Newcastle who had the best chance to score the second goal. Voltemade again released Murphy in behind the Fulham defence, but on this occasion Leno took the right angles, making a smart block to deny Newcastle a second.
Nick Pope had to be alert to keep out Emil Smith Rowe’s long-range shot after a mistake by Sven Botman, showing the vulnerability of Newcastle’s one-goal advantage.
Newcastle ignored those warnings and were sent back in the 56th minute. Fulham’s final ball was often ruled out, but Kevin, a half-time substitute for Smith Rowe, managed to cross just right, picking out Raul Jimenez, whose powerful shot hit the crossbar. The ball returned to the penalty area, and Lukić, who hit his head, showed courage and scored the equalizer with his head.
Saša Lukić from Fulham celebrates the equalizer
Newcastle now had questions to answer, and Guimaraes could have answered some of them had he not headed home a free-kick, with the goal at his mercy, from eight yards.
It looked set to be a costly miss as the home side, who had finished strongly, struggled to find any breakthrough. Jolinton’s header hit the side netting before Leno was able to save from Sandro Tonali as Fulham held on bravely. However, Bruno made up for his earlier miss to spark celebrations at St James’ Park.
‘This is the Newcastle I know’
Bruno Guimaraes celebrates a goal against Fulham
The Newcastle match-winner said: “I feel amazing. We were very tired from Wednesday’s game and I think we had to learn how to finish the game.
“I’m happy at the end we scored. The last few games we’ve been punished at the end – by Arsenal, Liverpool.
“My whole family is here, my mum, my kids, my wife, so to score a goal like that at the Gallowgate End is very special. It’s a very good moment.
“We can’t play a perfect game every time, but we have to find the three points and we did that today. We’re very pleased with everyone. This is the Newcastle I know. We fight until the end.”
Fulham are in danger of relegation
Analysis by Sky Sports’ Lewis Jones:
Fulham have a couple of problems.
A flurry of newly promoted clubs showing no fear, and huge concerns about their own bottom third of results lacking freshness and quality.
Despite showing promise at various stages in the defeat to Newcastle, Fulham were dull at key moments. Amassing 47 final third entries and 25 touches in the opposition box at St James’ Park is a healthy number indeed, but they simply didn’t do enough with their territory.
It’s now four defeats in the round, and if the goals don’t start soon, the pressure will mount. It will test the mental resilience of a team whose recent seasons have provided stability, rather than fighting for survival.
This is a season that could easily evolve into a tension-filled relegation battle instead of a comfortable mid-table campaign.