Fulham overturned a 1-0 halftime deficit with a sensational second-half display and escaped St. James’ Park with a 2-1 victory over Newcastle on Saturday.
WATCH – Newcastle vs Fulham full match replay
It was truly a tale of two halves as the Magpies enjoyed almost complete control of the game’s opening 45 minutes and eventually went ahead through Jacob Murphy in the 37th, but Fulham turned the game on its head after the restart. The Cottagers had 8 shots in the first 15 minutes after halftime, culminating in Raul Jimenez’s equalizer in the 61st.
Newcastle couldn’t get going again and Fulham continued to press for a winner, and finally they got it in the 82nd minute. Andreas Pereira’s free kick found Rodrigo Muniz for a glancing touch at the near post and Fulham (36 points) were headed back up to 9th in the Premier League table, now just a point outside of the presumed European places for next season. The collapse leaves Newcastle (41 points) 5th, with Chelsea just a point behind them and yet to play this weekend.
Silva’s subs won the game, Howe’s… not so much
Aside from the fact that Pereira and Muniz directly connected for the winner, their introduction in the 73rd minute gave Fulham a lift of the energy and intensity that was beginning to escape them. Marco Silva was probably prepared to play for the winner away from home at point, until a set piece presented itself and — voila — perfect delivery to go with a perfect touch. After Murphy opened the scoring, Newcastle had just five shots the rest of the game, for a combined 0.30 xG.
Player ratings - Newcastle vs Fulham
What’s next?
- Newcastle vs Arsenal — Wednesday, 3 pm ET (League Cup semifinal, second leg)
- Wigan vs Fulham — Saturday, 10 am ET (FA Cup)
- Birmingham vs Newcastle — Saturday, 12:45 pm ET (FA Cup)
Newcastle vs Fulham live updates - by Andy Edwards
Newcastle vs Fulham final score: 1-2
Goalscorers: Jacob Murphy (37'), Raul Jimenez (61'), Rodrigo Muniz (82')
GOAL! Newcastle 1-2 Fulham: Muniz completes the comeback (82')
GOAL! Newcastle 1-1 Fulham: Jimenez finishes a one-touch sequence to equalize (61')
GOAL! Newcastle 1-0 Fulham: Murphy slots home after Gordon’s cross goes uncleared (37')
Newcastle starting lineup
Dubravka - Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall - Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton - Murphy, Gordon, Isak
Fulham starting lineup
Leno - Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson - Lukic, Berge, Smith Rowe - Traore, Iwobi, Jimenez
The Magpies are outside of the top four on goal differential. They have won seven-of-eight Premier League matches, bouncing back from the only loss of that run by beating Southampton 3-1 at St. Mary’s in Week 23. Newcastle’s Alexander Isak has been red-hot during that run, ascending the Premier League Golden Boot race as a legitimate contender to beat Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah to the honor.
Fulham were sixth coming out of a Week 14 win over Brighton but have since drawn more often than not to slip nine points back of Newcastle. The Cottagers are 2W-5D-2L in their last nine games and need to start collecting wins with the Magpies and Nottingham Forest in back-to-back weeks before a run of more straight-forward games.
Newcastle team news, focus
OUT: Harvey Barnes (thigh), Jamaal Lascelles (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Callum Wilson (thigh)
Fulham team news, focus
OUT: Harry Wilson (foot), Kenny Tete (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Reiss Nelson (hamstring)
Newcastle vs Fulham prediction
Fulham have been quite unlucky this season, allowing more goals than xGA and scoring fewer than their xG total. Understat’s expected points table has them fourth behind Liverpool, Arsenal, and Bournemouth. They’ve been the same team home-and-away, more or less, as Marco Silva leads a well-drilled Cottagers. Newcastle, meanwhile, have their identity under Eddie Howe and an elite midfield with Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, and Joelinton. This should be a proper scrap, but the home field and the game’s hottest striker — Alexander Isak — make it difficult to predict anything but a slim Magpies advantage. Newcastle 2-1 Fulham.
How to watch Newcastle vs Fulham live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 10am ET Saturday (February 1)
Venue: St. James’ Park — Newcastle
TV Channel: Peacock
Streaming: Premier League on Peacock