Newcastle United beat Fulham 2-1 at St. James’ Park on Saturday, as Bruno Guimaraes scored the winner late on.
WATCH — Full match replay
Eddie Howe’s side took the lead through Jacob Murphy but failed to build on it as they missed big chances. That kept Fulham in the game and Sasa Lukic equalized in the second half and looked like it would grab a point for the Cottagers.
But Guimaraes, who came close on several occasions, popped up to be the hero in the 90th minute as he scored the winner at the Gallowgate End to send the home fans wild.
With the win Newcastle move on to 12 points, while Fulham remain on eight after just two wins from their opening nine games of the season.
Fulham could be in trouble
It appears that Fulham’s lack of a goalscorer has finally caught up with them. Raul Jimenez has done okay over the last few years but is he going to score more than 10 goals a season? Rodrigo Muniz’s injury problems are a huge concern and midfielders aren’t stepping up with enough goals for Fulham like they did over the last few seasons. Marco Silva’s contract runs out at the end of this season and it seems like he’s realizing he’s perhaps taken this team, and club, as far as he can. The alarm bells were ringing this summer when Silva called out Fulham’s lack of spending in the transfer market and those sirens are growing louder. They have enough quality to stay up in the Premier League this season but it feels like this Fulham side will struggle to defy the odds once again this season, as they’ve always found a way to dig in and grab results in tight games under Silva. They’re lacking that cutting edge in attack and defensive solidity which has been the hallmark of their solid and steady rise as a midtable mainstay in recent seasons. They should be fine but it wouldn’t be a huge shock if Fulham are dragged into the relegation scrap.
What’s next?
Newcastle host Spurs in the League Cup last 16 on Wednesday, then head to West Ham on Sunday. Fulham head to Wycombe on Tuesday in the League Cup before they host Wolves in an absolutely massive game next Saturday.
Newcastle United vs Fulham score: 2-1
Murphy 18', Guimaraes 90'; Lukic 56'
Newcastle vs Fulham live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright
Guimaraes does get his goal! And it is surely the winner!
It has been coming and the Newcastle skipper finishes to send St James’ Park wild. Substitute Will Osula does superbly on the break and his low shot is pushed out by Leno but it’s straight to Bruno Guimaraes who slots home.
Guimaraes fires just wide
He’s getting closer! The Brazilian midfielder drags a shot just wide of the post and looks to the sky. Newcastle have brought on Anthony Elanga, with Harvey Barnes already coming on after that Fulham equalizer.
Raul Jimenez denied by Pope
Fulham are feeling it now. A cross is flicked up by Jimenez and his acrobatic effort is on target but lacks real power as Nick Pope saves. Really good game as we approach the final 20 minutes.
Bruno Guimaraes should put Newcastle back ahead
A cross from the left from Gordon is perfect for Bruno Guimaraes but he heads the ball over from six yards out. He’s not happy with himself. That was a pretty easy header.
Fulham are level!
They have started the second half well and now Fulham are level. A brilliant cross from the left from half time sub Kevin is smashed towards goal by Raul Jimenez. It his the bar but comes out to Sasa Lukic who bravely heads home and has a cut on his cheek to show for it. Newcastle will be kicking themselves. Lengthy treatment after that clash of heads and Botman is subbed off. Lukic carries on but has been bandaged up.
Half time: Newcastle 1-0 Fulham
Newcastle lead and they should have probably wrapped this one up given the quality of chances they have missed. Fulham have created a few openings too and will be happy they are still in this.
Murphy should have another!
He’s played in again and from a similar position to his goal, Murphy just hesitates slightly before he shots. That allows Leno to stay tall and he gets a flick on the shot to deflect it wide. Murphy knows he should have scored his second of the game.
Fulham goes close to equalizing, twice!
First Sander Berge’s curler is pushed away by Pope and the ball falls to Traore who drills a low shot just wide of the far post. Fulham have responded well to going behind.
Murphy finishes after a poor error from Bassey!
He’s started the game so well and Jacob Murphy deserves that goal. He presses Calvin Bassey into giving the ball away and races in on goal. He still has a lot to do from a tight angle but his low shot goes in off the far post. Brilliant work from Murphy but that is so poor from Bassey. Marco Silva will be fuming.
Jimenez’s shot deflects wide
Fulham are growing into the game and Raul Jimenez twists and turns before his low effort deflects just wide. Newcastle still look the more dangerous, but Fulham are doing okay.
Gordon almost gets on the end of a dangerous cross
That is some cross from Jacob Murphy on the right and it beats all of the Fulham defenders, but Anthony Gordon couldn’t stretch enough to get on the end of it and finish. Great chance for Newcastle.
Woltemade hits the post!
So close to an early goal for Newcastle. The ball drops to red-hot German striker Woltemade in the box but he shanks his shot and it hits the post. He will be disappointed with that finish.
Newcastle lineup
Pope; Trippier, Botman, Thiaw, Burn; Miley, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon
Fulham lineup
Leno; Tete, Diop, Bassey, Sessegnon; Berge, Lukic; Traore, Smith Rowe, Iwobi; Jimenez
Newcastle United team news, focus
OUT: Yoane Wissa (knee), Tino Livramento (knee), Lewis Hall (thigh), Harrison Ashby (thigh)
Fulham team news, focus
OUT: Joachim Andersen (thigh), Rodrigo Muniz (knock), Antonee Robinson (knee), Samu Chukwueze (unspecified), Harry Wilson (fitness)
Newcastle vs Fulham preview
Eddie Howe’s Magpies have been wonderful in the UEFA Champions League but uneven in the Premier League, winning just one of their last four PL games; That was at home to Nottingham Forest, and their only other league win also came at home (Wolves). The Magpies are a poor 0-3-1 away from SJP.
Marco Silva’s Fulham are struggling to get positive results, though, and they’re even worse away from Craven Cottage. The Cottagers have lost three-straight away days since drawing at Brighton in Week 1, and they are losers of three-straight overall in the league following a 1-0 home loss to Fulham on October 18.
Fulham have scored just eight times through eight games, as injuries and inconsistency have plagued center forward Raul Jimenez and Rodrigo Muniz.
Newcastle vs Fulham prediction
Fulham are no pushovers and will like their chances given Newcastle had to play Benfica at midweek in the UEFA Champions League. And perhaps Marco Silva will surprise by starting Kevin and/or Emile Smith Rowe. Yet at the moment it feels like Newcastle should feel comfortable in the favorites role, and discomfort will come if they drop points on Saturday. If Howe has the program many believe him to have, this should really be nothing less than all three points. Yes, even if Sandro Tonali cannot go. Newcastle 2-1 Fulham.
How to watch Newcastle vs Fulham live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 10am ET Saturday
Venue: St. James’ Park — Newcastle-upon-Tyne
TV Channel: USA
Streaming: Watch live on NBC.com
