Newcastle United 1-2 Fulham
Six days after the moribund submission to Manchester United Fulham sprang back to glorious life in the North East.
Despite a crop of midseason problems Newcastle had won 10 of their previous 11 matches and were striving for the Premier's top four. Their goal scorer Alexander Isak was in peak form. Yet Fulham completed the double.
From the outset the Magpies showed every intention of pulverising their visitors, who were arrayed in their lurid third choice kit.
In regular attacks Bern Leno had to block Fabian Schar and Bruno Guimares almost scored with powerful header from an Anthony Gordon cross. Bruno had inadvertently given Raul Jimenez a goal when the teams last met and he was clearly anxious to erase that memory. Jacob Murphy was another to waste an opportunity set up by Gordon.
Despite the action at both ends (Jimenez making the most impact for Fulham) neither side achieved a shot on target in the opening half hour. The tension rose with Leno denying Guimares and Martin Dubravka saving from Adama Traore, whose speed was unsettling the home defence.
After two Fulham corners proved fruitless Gordon deceived Anthony Castagne and his cross was deflected to Murphy, who this time did not miss.
Sandro Tonali was generally held in check by Sander Berge, but he managed a prodigious shot from distance that nearly doubled the Magpies' lead. Then in a one-to-one Leno bested Tino Livramento. Fulham were by no means outplayed but they needed to be sharper in attack.
Silva calls for more
During the interval Marco Silva warned his players that he expected far more from them. The message seemed effective because Emile Smith Rowe began the second half by surging through to test Dubravka. Then Calvin Bassey came close and Dan Burn had to deflect a drive from Jimenez.
The equaliser took half an hour to arrive but it proved to be the classiest of goals. Jimenez intercepted smartly and found Adama Traore who sped away and passed to Antonee Robinson on the left wing. The American calmly flicked the ball to Jimenez, who finished off the move that he had started. Robinson thus equalled Steed Malbranque's record of ten assists in one season.
Surprisingly we had seen little of the prolific Alexander Isak but his low centre could have produced a goal. Joe Willock somehow failed to make contact. Apparently this prompted a racist idiot on social media to single out Willock (who had only just come on as a substitute) as responsible for his team's defeat. Let's hope the authorities respond.
Isak then produced a piledriver that shook the woodwork. With the match there to be won, Silva replaced Jimenez and Smith Rowe with Rodrigo Muniz and Andreas Pereira. The pairing paid off when Rodrigo flicked home his fellow Brazilian's immaculately placed free kick.
Against Manchester United it was hard to think of a Man of the Match though no-one would begrudge Calvin Bassey any award. There was no shortage of heroes against Newcastle. Though Raul Jimenez secured more votes than Bassey and Robinson the whole team did us proud.
One man missing from the squad was Harry Wilson, who after winning back his place in the starting eleven sustained a serious leg injury against Manchester United. We all wish him a speedy recovery. His goal poaching instinct will be much missed even if (as is hoped) Willian reappears on the subs' bench.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
