A missed chance to move to the top of the Premier League for Eddie Howe’s Mags as Newcastle fell to their first defeat of the 2024/25 season at Fulham.
After picking up 10 points from a possible 12 in our opening four, first-half goals from Raul Jimenez and Emile Smith-Rowe gave the hosts an early lead in what can only be described as an abysmal 45 minutes from our point of view.
Our midfield looked all at sea, our front three were spectators and our back four did little to protect Nick Pope; who wasn’t blameless himself after a weak hand failed to stop Smith-Rowe from making it 2-0.
We needed a big second half and it started superbly as Harvey Barnes scored just a minute into the restart. Another away-day comeback was suddenly on the cards and we were far more competitive after the break, but it wasn’t to be as Fulham made sure of the win after a Bruno Guimaraes howler gifted Reiss Nelson a 92nd minute goal to end all hopes of a late equaliser.
Defeats were coming if our performance levels didn’t go up a gear and so it proved today, with our awful first half display punished by a Fulham side that were good value for their 3-1 win.
Alexander Isak passed a late fitness, much to the relief of Newcastle fans and Howe made plenty of changes, although there was no room for Sandro Tonali in his starting 11. Still, we saw four changes as Harvey Barns Joe Willock, Lloyd Kelly and Kieran Trippier replaced Jacob Murphy, Sean Longstaff, Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento.
Starting XI: Pope – Trippier, Schar, Burn, Kelly – Willock, Bruno, Joelinton – Gordon, Isak, Barnes.
Subs: Dubravka, Krafth, Hall*, Livramento*, Tonali*, Longstaff, Murphy*, Almiron, Osula*.
Moments after Joelinton’s disallowed goal for a Willock offside, Fulham went down the other end and struck first via Jimenez to hand the hosts a 1-0 lead within five minutes. The Mexican was found from Adama Traore’s cross, was allowed to turn by Fabian Schar and fired past Nick Pope – and it almost got worse a minute later as Smith-Rowe smashed the corner of the crossbar from their next attack.
Dan Burn then lost the flight of a ball in behind to allow Jimenez in behind, but we had Pope to thank as he made himself big to keep it at one. Fulham’s tails were up and we were chasing shadows all over the pitch, looking nothing like the side that started quickly in our last away game at Wolves and struggling to get Bruno Guimaraes into the game at all.
1-0 then became 2-0 and it had been coming. We lost possession too easily in midfield, Fulham broke down our left and Smith-Rowe caught Pope off guard by taking his effort early. Poor defending, poor goalkeeping – Pope should’ve done better – and pretty disastrous start for Newcastle United.
Four Fulham players went into the book but we continued to be wasteful on the ball and slow to react when we gave it away, showing a lack of urgency or quality in and out of possession. No fluency to our attacking play and a real lack of organisation all over the pitch as Fulham players constantly picked up pockets of space. The half-time whistle went and the scoreline flattered us, giving us a mountain to climb in the final 45 minutes.
Howe made two changes at the break – Lewis Hall and Jacob Murphy replaced Lloyd Kelly and Joe Willock – and there was an instant response. Murphy broke free after bursting onto Isak’s lay-off and fed Harvey Barnes, who finished superb once again after cutting in from the left and firing a low effort past Leno and into the far corner to make it four goals and one assist in his last six Premier League outings. 2-1!
Pope then kept us in it five minutes later as he got himself in the way of a huge chance for Iwobi at the back post. The game was on a knife-edge and suddenly an end-to-end affair, with the next goal feeling massive as we looked to complete yet another comeback on the road.
There was a greater intensity and urgency to our play as we fought to find that equaliser, although that bit of quality to unlock the door was often lacking as we huffed and puffed our way to the 70-minute mark still 2-1 down.
Gordon almost changed that after his bursting run ended in a low effort blocked by Leno, then Murphy fired just over seconds later after cutting in from the right. The biggest chance, however, came from the resultant goal kick, as Leno gifted Schar with a huge opening, but our usually composed Swiss star took it early – ignoring a tap-in for Isak – and shot wide.
Howe then made two more changes with 15 minutes remaining, seeing Sandro Tonali and Tino Livramento replace Joelinton and Trippier. A tired Gordon also made way for Will Osula, with the big Dane on for his Newcastle debut as he joined Isak up top in Howe’s last throw of the dice to try and salvage a point.
Six minutes of added time were signalled but it was Fulham who found a late goal, with Bruno’s awful pass out from the back gifting Reiss Nelson a 92nd minute goal to make it 3-1, c
Next up for Newcastle, a Carabao Cup trip to Wimbledon on Tuesday night before we welcome Manchester City to St James’ Park next Saturday.
It’s now been 12 months of awful away performances, I think teams have worked out how to play us and I’ve yet to see a plan B from Eddie to address it.
And although we’ve got lucky this season our away form is now translating into our home performances where we were lucky against Southampton and Spurs both games we could easily have lost.
I think maybe Eddie has taken us as far as he can, we’re not Bournemouth and have the potential to challenge for trophies and top four but I genuinely can’t see Howe delivering them.
I hate to say this but
David(Quote)
We were absolutely awful. Shocking throughout the team. In fact, what team? The only one that can hold his head up is Barnes.
I guess this is what happens when you fail to bring in new players and there’s little competition for places. Complacency and gutless ineptitude from players that should be doing much, much better. 😡😡😡
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Yip, Longstaff was the sacrificial lamb today but can we honest say Bruno or Joelinton have been so much better than him?! – only in geeing up the fans maybe.
Honestly, I don’t think we were worse today than any other game so far this season – only that Fulham were more clinical & punished us in the way Saints, Spurs, Wolves or Forest weren’t able to – but it was only a matter of time our bubble would burst if performances didn’t improve.
Gilly is right, other than Barnes none of them are performing well – not just today though.
I don’t know if it’s a change in the intensity of training since Bunce has come in (and they are focusing on reducing injuries), or the fall out between Howe and Mitchell or whether Howe is thinking of England – who knows.
But they need an honest conversation, because the last thing we look so far this season is United.
Sharpy17(Quote)
No excuses for Howe on the training ground, he says he has six great midfielders to choose from yet he can’t select a decent combination.
No holding midfielder, no creative midfielder and no linking midfielder on show today.
Isaac Hayden when playing for the club had more heart and impact than both the boys from Brazil to day.
They have no right to be allowed to play by the opposition. Well done Fulham by the way.
Isak feeding off no service whatsoever.
Joseph(Quote)
I’d bench Gordon and play Barnes and Murphy/Miggy. Gordon has not been anywhere near the player he was. And I’d certainly not be offering him a new deal. If he won’t play for the shirt, let him go, but squeeze the scousers for every penny.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Still trying to wrap my head around that result tbh. Why can’t we string a few passes together, why don’t we pass and go, it’s basic stuff . We look very un united.
kimtoon(Quote)
Seems like the cup game is postponed…
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Gilly – disappointing but rather it get done sooner than later to avoid messing traveling fans around.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Peed off about cup game, lads away at respite and had the chance to sit and relax and watch it and it gets called off🤬and I can’t even do gardening as it’s p issing it down here all week apparently. Oh and from Wednesday it’s gonna get really cold too.😒
kimtoon(Quote)
Anymore good news mate. Lol
Icedog(Quote)
Cup game will be moved to SJP on 1st Oct. Confirmed by club. I hope they give the whole gate to Wimbledon. That pitch is going to cost a fortune to fix and the much bigger gate from SJP will really help them.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
more trouble eh M/U eyeing Howe they are smelling boardroom trouble at the toon and are ready to move in,papertalk ? no smoke without fire imo
icedog(Quote)
Ice – the trouble has been that Howe is being asked to relinquish some of his involvement in transfers.
If Man Utd got rid of ETH they will be left with a squad full of his former players – who are not very good.
I don’t imagine they will make a similar mistake with any new manager coming in – including Howe – how was also rumoured to have had a fractious relationship with Ashworth as well.
It’s not beyond the realms of possibility obviously but I’d be surprised. If Howe leaves I can only see it for England – but my money is on Carsley staying in post personally.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Gilly – agreed mate. Have you seen we’ve already donated £15k towards their fund raising for repairs as well.
Sharpy17(Quote)
SHARPY you must there something wrong behind the scenes
Icedog(Quote)
Admit
Icedog(Quote)
Ice – just been reading and apparently they have had clear the air talks & found a common ground.
I was watching a thing the other day that made a valid point about Howes past and at Bmth he would have had lots of control & multiple hats as they climbed through the leagues.
Then with our take over. Mandy & her fella took over from Charnley & I imagine Howe was more involved because we didn’t have the personnel in place.
But it was right to recruit the likes of Mitchell & Bunce – just like it was right to get Darren Eales.
I expect the failings in the summer was not all down to 1 individual – but I use failings loosely coz I wouldn’t have been happy spending £75m on Guehi like – I think anything over £50m would have been too much.
I’m gonna predict they are all professional enough to work it out & we will benefit from them in the long run.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Yes, I saw that. Very pleased with that. We need to help and support these small clubs. They are the lifeblood of football.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Yes, brilliant from the club to donate £15k, lets hope other PL clubs follow suit.
kimtoon(Quote)
Home draw (finally!) but against Chelsea … just knew it would be one them. 😖
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Of course, that’s assuming we beat Wimbledon 😳😳😳😬
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Darren Eales to step down as CEO after being diagnosed with blood cancer! Wow! He’s only 52. Tragic.
We will be looking for another CEO then.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Gilly – it’s tragic mate isn’t it?!
Hopefully he can fight it & make a full recovery 🤞🏼. I think he’s been brilliant for us & his interactions with the fans have been first class.
Wish him all the best & hopefully the club & supports get behind him.
Sharpy17(Quote)
It is tragic mate. Way too much Cancer around for me at the moment. My birth father who lives out in S Africa also has blood Cancer, maybe similar to Eales, but my father is 86, and it’s potentially treatable, and my stepdad who’s basically been my Dad since I was 8 years old and lives next door to me here in Rowlands Gill, has a type 4 Glioblastoma brain tumour (diagnosed 2 days ago) and liver cancer, he’s been given 3-4months or max 12-18months if he opts for treatment. No cure. He’s 78. It’s a horrible, horrible disease. 😔
Gilly Toon(Quote)
GILLY sorry to hear that bud,good luck
Icedog(Quote)
Poor Darren, that’s awful news. So sorry about your Dad and step dad Gilly that’s a terrible double whammy. Best wishes to all 3 chaps.
kimtoon(Quote)
Thanks so much guys! Appreciate it.
Gilly Toon(Quote)