A vital win for Newcastle United, who made it seven straight league victories at St James’ Park against an in-form Fulham side.
We picked up more injuries in the process, but stepped up a gear in the second half against Fulham’s 10 men, with Lewis Miley making history to become the club’s youngest Premier League goalscorer and Brazilian genius Bruno Guimaraes delivering midfield masterclass.
It feels like a huge three points to get us back on track after three-straight defeats, as the result sending us above Man Utd (who travel to Liverpool tomorrow) and up to 6th. The red card may have been the defining moment, but our reaction to Wednesday’s painful defeat was impressive, as we had 71% of the ball, almost 30 shots and ended the game good value for our 3-0 win.
Howe made two changes from midweek, as Dan Burn and Sean Longstaff came into a side missing the suspended Kieran Trippier. Sven Botman was back on the bench, but Alexander Isak was left out as a precaution after feeling the effects of a recent groin injury.
Another game, another injury as a decent start was spoilt by Fabian Schar pulling his hamstring as he broke forward from deep. Another huge blow, even if it was brilliant to see Sven Botman back on the bench.
Emil Krafth came on, seeing Livramento switch to left-back and Burn slot into next to Lascelles, then Fulham went down to 10 after VAR asked the referee to check Raul Jimenez’s reckless smash into Sean Longstaff.
That gave us a much needed lift and more reason to attack a free-scoring Fulham who’d netted 16 in their last four. Gordon struck the underside of the crossbar, although there was a let off at the other end as Joelinton’s stray pass sent Iwobi through. Thankfully, Burn put him under pressure and the former Arsenal winger fired straight at Dubrabka, but we were dealt another blow moments later as Joelinton went down with what looked to be a hamstring injury.
Lewis Miley replaced big Joe and it was our local lad who found the breakthrough in the second half, finishing calmly at the Gallowgate after good work from Bruno. The youngest Mag to score for us in the Premier League, a brilliant moment for the teenage sensation and a big, big goal after a fast start to the second half. Bruno ran the show from start to finish and this was a lovely moment between him and Howe after Miley’s opener.
A lovely moment between @brunoog97 and Eddie Howe after Lewis Miley’s goal 🥰 pic.twitter.com/2bVHnu4tvm
— Char 🖤 (@charlotteee30) December 16, 2023
1-0 soon became 2-0 and that felt like game over, as Gordon’s through ball went past Wilson and the entire Fulham back line to allow Almiron the easiest of finishes. He was criticised in midweek for that first half miss, but he reacted quickly and fired into an empty net to all but seal the win.
We were in total control at this stage and soon made it three, as Burn bundled in at the second attempt after an outside of the foot cross Nobby Solano would’ve been proud of from Bruno. “He’s from Blyth!” belted around St James’ Park and three changes followed, where Sven Botman replaced Burn to huge cheers after three months out, with Matt Ritchie and Lewis Hall also coming on in place of Tino and Gordon with 10 minutes to play.
It could’ve been 4-0 and a hat-trick of local heroes when Longstaff let rip from just outside the area, only for his powerful shot to fly just over. The midfielder has been involved in just three defeats in his last 34 starts for Newcastle United and was a key cog once again.
Wilson was desperate for a goal and almost got his wish deep into added time, as his powerful snapshot thundered off the post before Matt Ritchie almost got in on the act at the back post. Fulham had found a way to frustrate us in the first half, yet it was total domination in the final 45.
Bruno was outstanding, Burn made a difference the back, Miley was superb yet again and Krafth also did an impressive job down the right, looking sharp at both ends and strong as an ox.
A bad day on the injury front, but an important win to lift the midweek blues, building back some momentum ahead of next week’s cup quarter-final at Chelsea.
STARTING XI: Dubravka, Livramento, Lacelles, Schar, Burn, Bruno, Longstaff, Joelinton, Almiron, Gordon, Wilson.
SUBS: Karius, Gillespie, Dummett, Botman, Ritchie, Krafth, Hall, A.Murphyy, Miley.
Good write up OLLY
Icedog(Quote)
Excellent write up Olly, as always mate. Great result too. The match thread and comments etc were working perfectly, even the emojis worked again. Seemed like less ads on there too perhaps? But thanks mate.
Gutted for the injuries though. It’s like one step forward and two steps back on injuries right now. We will be playing the Mackems with our under 21 squad the way things are going, which is quite worrying. 😬
Gilly Toon(Quote)
The first half felt like it was going to be one of those days where it just won’t happen.
100% a red card, and whilst I think VAR could be used better, I think it did its job today – though if I’m honest it shouldn’t have been needed – it was so obviously a straight red from the ref imo.
Gutted with another 2 injuries today (at least). The Schar one is annoying coz he’s played holding his hamstring for the last 3-4 games, so maybe should have been rested today 🤷🏼♂️.
All in all though a fantastic answer to what might have been a hangover from the CL exit – and how could I leave out Mileys goal?!.
I honestly get no greater pleasure when watching NUFC than seeing local lads doing well. You could argue it was a bit harsh him being dropped today when he’s been in great form. But good on him, he’s came in & been brilliant & thoroughly deserved his goal today.
I wonder about the squad evaluation before the summer window – coz with the emergence of Anderson & Miley – did we really need to spend £55m on Tonali?!.
Regardless – brilliant performance & result today 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Sharpy17(Quote)
Fantastic win and lift for the team after the disappointment of mid week. Let’s hope we can go all out now and get top 4 again.
kimtoon(Quote)
Good win yesterday that keeps nufc in the mix for euro placings.
Think the injuries disrupted the 1st half rhythm .. was it 3 back fours in the first half??
I did think krafth slotted in brilliantly straight away and shone throughout. Does him at full back offer options to play livramento higher up the field
Once Howe got them adjusted 2nd half it felt more balanced and it was brilliant to see miley score and botman get a run too. Wilson looked fit too.
Schar and joelinton out will probably hurt nufc and let’s hope isak is back soon
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Bring on Chelsea! I think we will see Krafth and Dummett start on Tuesday. Not sure if we will be allowed to play Hall, but if we are, I’d start him too. We need to beat Chelsea… still our best shot at a trophy this season.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Are there any fans in Anfield? Shocking atmosphere, shocking match but a draw is good for us.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I think Krafth was showing signs of great improvement before his injury. It was a real shame his lay off was so long.
If he’s happy at NUFC then I’d keep him coz he’s excellent cover for RCB & RB.
With the work Howe has put in with the likes of Krafth, Lascelles, Murphy – and the development of players like Anderson & Miley – I think our squad depth has improved & players we might have thought needed moving on, or areas we thought needed reinforcements maybe don’t now.
It may also mean that when money is still so tight – we can focus on spending that money on the positions where that reinforcement is really needed.
Sharpy17(Quote)