The 3-0 win over Benfica was just what the doctor ordered on Tuesday night, where we delivered one of our best team displays of the season to move up to 8th in the Champions League league phase.
Our position in Europe has strengthened with back-to-back wins on a confidence-boosting night at St James’ Park, but we have to build on that and start picking up points in the Premier League.
Defeat at Brighton last Saturday was a blow, leaving us 14th in the table and consolidating what has been a slow and frustrating start in the league.
But with a big win in midweek that saw Gordon and Barnes find the net, our back four keep another clean sheet and Murphy create our opener on his return, we have to take that European form into Saturday’s clash with a Fulham side who’ve lost their last three and will be without a number of key players.
Team news
Sandro Tonali is ‘touch and go’ again after resuming training but still managing his bug, with Lewis Hall, Tino Livramento and Yoane Wissa still a week or two away.
Fulham have Joachim Andersen missing alongside striker Rodrigo Muniz and left-back Antonee Robinson, with Sasa Lukic and Harry Wilson facing fitness tests.
Predicted XI
(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Burn – Bruno, Miley, Ramsey – Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon.
I think we could see an unchanged 11 from our impressive 3-0 win over Benfica.
At the back, Trippier’s minutes will have to be managed soon enough, as I don’t see him starting three times every week at the age of 35, but we may need him to step up again here with Tino and Hall still missing.
The fact Tonali’s still not 100% makes me question if it’s worth forcing him into the side at Miley’s expense, especially when the latter was so good in midweek. On the left of our three, Ramsey needs games to find is rhythm and is perhaps more suited to a game we should be attacking, meaning he could keep his place ahead of Joelinton.
In attack, Murphy has taken his chance on the right wing and outshone Elanga recently, while Barnes may be kept back as an impact sub after two goals off the bench on Tuesday.
Match prediction
Newcastle are a different beast at home and I fancy us to get the job done here.
With Gordon back in the goals, Woltemade’s elite link up, our midfield feeling refreshed and Murphy back in the side, we should get back to winning ways; even if our ageing full-backs may limit our patters of play in wide areas.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-0 Fulham
Howay the lads!
We desperately need points in the league so we really must be winning games like this. Leeds won tonight pushing us down to 15th. A good tomorrow will also help our confidence.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
15th ffs, must win now, Fulham a point below us will leap frog us if they win . Our performances have not yielded results when they should have.
kimtoon(Quote)
HWTL
kimtoon(Quote)
We need a win. Pleased to see Miley start.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Gosh two brilliant chances hit the frame, is it another one of them games ?
kimtoon(Quote)
Lost my stream. I hate these 3pm kick offs. 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
Gilly Toon(Quote)
It’s back… are we trying to commit suicide here.?
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Goaaaaaaaalllllll Murphy
Gilly Toon(Quote)
My post not showing
kimtoon(Quote)
Oh now it is
kimtoon(Quote)
How was that stamp on Joelinton not even a yellow?
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Refs useless again
kimtoon(Quote)
S/land get a leveller v Chelsea WTF is going on
kimtoon(Quote)
Murphy down
kimtoon(Quote)
Fulham look dangerous when they come forward
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Ref is useless or bent
kimtoon(Quote)
This ref is absolutely shocking
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Very sloppy play. Shocking refereeing. Ur glad we are ahead. We will need another goal or two.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Man this ref
kimtoon(Quote)
Well, we’ve been asking for that fuuuuuuuuuuuck
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Knew those missed efforts would cost us
kimtoon(Quote)
So, that’s not a foul then? Both players head injury, but goal stands. I see how this going to go. 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I have no idea how that goal is allowed to stand. 😡😡😡
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Bruno should of scored
kimtoon(Quote)
We are absolutely sh..ite now
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Oh man so close again, just won’t go in
kimtoon(Quote)
Oh my days now Joe into the side net, just won’t go in
kimtoon(Quote)
Oh Sandro so close, how are we not in front
kimtoon(Quote)
How are we so absolutely dog sh. Ite 🤬🤬🤬
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Brunoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
kimtoon(Quote)
At last, now stay the **** in front lads
kimtoon(Quote)
VAR better not rule it out
kimtoon(Quote)
6 mins ET
kimtoon(Quote)
Don’t trust this ref one bit
S/land ahead now ! wtf
kimtoon(Quote)
This refs gonna go 8 mins plus isn’t he
kimtoon(Quote)
Get the win, thank goodness.
kimtoon(Quote)
Well, that was a hard watch but finally got the win.
But the f..ucking mackems are beating Chelsea… how the f..uck have they done that. Got to hand it to them. They are flying. 🤬🤬
Gilly Toon(Quote)
What’s with this Sunderland side .
kimtoon(Quote)
Mind the gap lads 😉 Least you’re good in the Champions League
Lol(Quote)
2nd in the table, will they sustain their form ?
kimtoon(Quote)
Man u seem to have their mojo back
kimtoon(Quote)