Newcastle United showcased their resilience and skill as they triumphed over a determined 10-man Fulham side, emerging victorious with a 3-0 scoreline. This win extends their unbeaten streak against the Cottagers to eight matches in the Premier League (PL) when playing at home. Despite encountering setbacks, such as their recent exit from the UEFA Champions League, Newcastle United remained unfazed and delivered an impressive performance at St. James’ Park.
The match got off to an unfortunate start for the Magpies when Fabian Schär was forced off the pitch due to a hamstring injury just 14 minutes into the game. However, Fulham’s Raúl Jiménez’s sending off after 22 minutes, for a head collision with Sean Longstaff, provided an opportunity for Eddie Howe’s side to regroup and find their rhythm. Overcoming these early disruptions, Newcastle United displayed excellent ball movement and control.
Anthony Gordon came close to giving Newcastle the lead in the 30th minute, striking the ball against the crossbar, only to see it ricochet through Longstaff’s legs. Shortly after, Joelinton’s pass inadvertently presented Alex Iwobi with a chance, but Martin Dúbravka made a brilliant save. Unfortunately, Joelinton himself was forced off the field due to injury moments later, adding to Newcastle’s frustrations.
Newcastle United continued to dominate possession, pushing Fulham back for large portions of the game. Tino Livramento created an excellent opportunity for Longstaff, but the midfielder was swiftly closed down by Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno. Leno was called into action again early in the second half, making impressive saves to deny Gordon and Lewis Miley’s powerful efforts.
It was 17-year-old Gordon who eventually broke the deadlock, capitalizing on a loose ball following some excellent work from Bruno Guimarães. With composure and precision, Gordon calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner, securing his first-ever senior goal. Just seven minutes later, Newcastle United doubled their lead as Gordon’s ball trickled past Leno and Callum Wilson, allowing Miguel Almirón to pounce and score his first PL goal since September.
With the game firmly in their control, Newcastle United continued to press forward. Dan Burn, making his first start since returning from an injury suffered in early November, sealed the victory by bundling the ball home after his initial header had been saved. This comfortable win marked Newcastle’s recovery from a three-game losing streak.
Meanwhile, Fulham experienced a reality check after enjoying consecutive 5-0 victories for the first time in their history. Despite this setback, the Cottagers can take pride in their recent performances and look to bounce back in their upcoming matches.
Newcastle United’s triumph over Fulham not only extends their unbeaten record against the Cottagers at home but also showcases their resilience and determination. With their impressive display of skill and teamwork, Newcastle United has proven themselves as a formidable force in the Premier League.