Fulham’s depth came to play and Newcastle United barely stirred in a 2-0 Cottagers win at Craven Cottage on Championship Sunday.
A matchup of marquee managers with their club futures a bit uncertain saw out-of-contract Marco Silva get the better of Eddie Howe.
WATCH — Fulham v Newcastle full match replay
Issa Diop and Tom Cairney scored for Fulham, who move above the Magpies to finish in 11th place on 52 points.
Newcastle remain on 49 points and finish above 13th-place Everton on goal differential.
Two summers of anxiety being with very different vibes
Marco Silva’s bench backed him big at home on Championship Sunday, while Eddie Howe’s regulars and subs both failed to deliver much at all in performances that show why Fulham would do anything to keep Marco Silva next season while only tepid reports of ‘We think it’ll be okay’ have arrived regarding Newcastle’s hierarchy and their idea to continue with Howe after a season that saw their biggest buys benched — sometimes without understandable explanations — and their newly-promoted rivals qualify for the Premier League while sweeping the Magpies. It was a terrible year outside of the Champions League and Newcaslte’s entire project is in question. Fulham’s is, too, but they’ll feel primed to buy a new forward and compete for Europe if Silva stays in charge. Both clubs have pivotal offseasons ahead of them that could see them emerge as butterflies or caterpillars.
Fulham vs Newcastle final score: 2-0
Issa Diop 20', Tom Cairney 80'
Tom Cairney goal (video) — Fulham 2-0 Newcastle
Harry Wilson will get the assist but this is all about a rocket across goal from outside the 18.
Tom Cairney, take a bow. The long-serving Cottager gets a great moment in front of his fans.
Trio of changes for Fulham
Raul Jimenez, Joshua King, and Harry Wilson replace Rodrigo Munoz, Oscar Bobb, and Emile Smith-Rowe.
Newcastle make pair of subs
Bruno Guimaraes has gone down and taken off his boot, and he had appeared quite testy with Fulham in recent minutes. His right knee is getting a look from the trainers.
Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa are going into the game for Guimaraes and Osula.
Magpies make halftime sub
Murphy exits and Harvey Barnes enters at the break.
Halftime — Fulham 1-0 Newcastle
Boos from the away end as the Magpies have not looked right without Tonali.
Issa Diop goal (video) — Fulham 1-0 Newcastle
Kevin hits a brilliant free kick and it smacks the bar before Nick Pope can get it.
Issa Diop has not been followed by Joe Willock and the center back knocks it home.
Magpies lineup change
Sandro Tonali felt something in warm-up so Joe Willock starts for the visitors.
Fulham lineup
Leno, Castagne, Diop, Bassey, Robinson, Berge, Iwobi, Bobb, Smith Rowe, Kevin, Muniz
Newcastle lineup
Pope, Hall, Botman, Thiaw, Burn, Tonali, Guimaraes, Ramsey, Murphy, Woltemade, Osula
Fulham vs Newcastle preview
Marquee managers with their club futures a bit uncertain meet Sunday when Fulham and Newcastle United contest their final matches of the 2025-26 Premier League season on Championship Sunday.
Both Marco Silva and Eddie Howe have overseen disappointing late season runs from their side but are well-liked at their club. Silva has to decide whether to accept a new contract at Fulham while Howe has reportedly saved his job for next season but needs much better than the error-strewn conclusion of this campaign
WATCH — Fulham v Newcastle
As it stands the Cottagers and Magpies both have 49 points so there’s money directly on the line in this battle.
Newcastle are seeking back-to-back wins to finish their season and also a season sweep of the Cottagers after Jacob Murphy and Bruno Guimaraes pushed the Magpies to a 2-1 win at St. James’ Park in October.
Fulham sat seventh after a Week 23 win over Brighton but have since won just four times including an active 1W-2D-3L stretch which has seen them take just one point in May: Week 37’s 1-1 draw at 20th-place Wolves.
Fulham team news, focus
OUT: Joachim Andersen (suspension), Ryan Sessegnon (unspecified)
Newcastle United team news, focus
OUT: Lewis Miley (lower leg), Valentino Livramento (groin), Fabian Schar (ankle), Emil Krafth (thigh) | QUESTIONABLE: Joelinton (thigh), Sandro Tonali (hamstring)
Fulham vs Newcastle prediction
It seems unlikely that Sandro Tonali will play and that’s a huge loss for Newcastle, who are also missing center mid Lewis Miley and may not get Joelinton back for this game. Fulham are healthy but goals have been a chore as they’ve not scored multiple markers since a 3-1 win over Burnley on March 21. Newcastle may just have a bit too much in attack for the hosts to send their fans home with a win for the summer. Fulham 1-2 Newcastle.
How to watch Fulham vs Newcastle live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 11am ET Sunday
Venue: Craven Cottage — West London
TV Channel: Peacock
Streaming: Stream live on Peacock
