When your luck is out, it’s definitely out. Bruno Guimaraes scored a 90th minute winner for Newcastle United to condemn battling Fulham to a fourth consecutive league defeat at St. James’ Park this afternoon. Marco Silva’s side came so close to claiming a creditable point after battling adversity and a growing injury crisis but ultimately paid the penalty for two dreadful defensive mistakes.
The Newcastle skipper, who had spurned a glorious chance to head the Magpies ahead again after Sasa Lukic had bravely nodded the Londoners level from close range, fired home from eight yards out – reacting quicker than anyone after Bernd Leno had parried an effort from substitute William Osula. Newcastle’s third home league win was celebrated joyously by the Gallowgate End, but they were pushed all the way by the visitors, whose players sunk to their knees after the Brazilian’s late, late show.
Eddie Howe had talked about the importance of taking the momentum from Newcastle’s Champions’ League win over Benfica into this contest and the hosts should have been in front in the fourth minute. Fulham failed to deal with a floated free-kick from Kieran Trippier and the ball fell to Nick Woltemade. The beanpole German, who had scored five goals in his first six Premier League outings, had the whole goal to aim from six yards out at but stabbed a shot against the base of the far post.
Woltemade swiftly made Guimarães’ first opening out of the afternoon, but the Brazilian drilled wide of the target from just outside the penalty area. The Magpies were rampant at this point with Jacob Murphy clattered a cross-shot against the near post from an acute angle after a clever spot from Trippier, but Fulham threatened themselves when Raul Jimenez spun sharply in the box and bent an effort towards the bottom corner, only for it to deflect wide off Sven Botman.
The Cottagers looked to have weathered the worst of Newcastle’s early storm until Calvin Bassey, one of six changes from last weekend’s narrow defeat at the hands of Arsenal, opted to try and turn past Jacob Murphy ten yards inside his own half. The former Norwich winger seized the loose ball and accelerated away into the penalty area, picking his spot with precision as the ball kissed the far post before rolling into the net. The greens shirts regrouped with Sander Berge’s powerful effort packing a punch that saw Nick Pope parry and Adama Traore fire the follow-up wide.
Leno kept Fulham in the game with a superb save as Murphy threatened to score a second after surging onto a brilliant ball from Anthony Gordon and the visitors could easily have drawn level before half time when a careless clearance fell at the feet of Emile Smith Rowe, but the ex-Arsenal’s midfielder’s 25-yard strike lacked conviction and was smothered by Pope. Smith Rowe was replaced by Kevin at half time and the Brazilian quickly showed why he became Fulham’s record signing with bursts of incisive play down the Fulham left.
He had already whipped one devilish ball across the face of goal before playing a prominent role in the equaliser that arrived eleven minutes after half time. The former Shakhtar Dontesk wide man produced a peach of a cross that Jimenez volleyed against the crossbar before Lukic headed both the ball and Botman into the net with a tenacity that has typified his efforts all season. There was no question of the goal being ruled out, but there was a lengthy stoppage whilst both players received treatment for head injuries. Botman had to be replaced by Fabian Schar and it was a while before the game rediscovered its previously rip-roaring pace.
Guimaraes should have nodded Newcastle back in front when he sent a free header over Leno’s crossbar after Gordon had delivered another teasing cross and then saw a shot drift wide. Substitute Anthony Elanga had an effort brilliantly blocked by Ryan Sessegnon before Leno held a fierce drive from Sandro Tonali. Joelinton headed into the side netting and it looked as though Fulham’s resilience would be rewarded with a point to stop the rot.
It was snatched away in the last minute of normal time but the Whites, having seen Silva sacrifice Lukic for captain Tom Cairney six minutes earlier, were too casual with the ball on the halfway line. Bassey was caught in possession once again, although this time, he had been played into trouble and Newcastle counter-attacked ruthlessly. Osula drove into the penalty area and, although Leno made another excellent save, the rebound broke to Bruno and the majority of the 52,000 spectators in St. James’ Park exhaled with glee.
NEWCASTLE UNITED (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Burn, Botman (Schar 61), Thiaw; Joelinton, Miley (Tonali 61), Guimarães; Gordon (Elanga 76), Murphy (Barnes 61), Woltemade (Osula 76). Subs (not used): Ramsdale, Krafth, Ramsey, Willock.
GOALS: Murphy (18), Guimarães (90).
FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete (Castagne 90+2), R. Sessegnon, Diop, Bassey; Lukic (Cairney 84), Berge; Traore (King 76), Iwobi (Kusi-Asare 90+2), Smith Rowe (Kevin 45); Jimenez. Subs (not used): Lecomte, Cuenca, Amissah, Reed.
BOOKED: Tete, Iwobi.
GOAL: Lukic (56).
REFEREE: Peter Bankes (Merseyside).
ATTENDANCE: 51,152.
What a frustrating loss! We were just too slow in the last ten minutes. What a goal by Lukic, though. Typical Sasha style as well, heading the ball and a Newcastle player in the same movement.
Frustrating defeat !! Bassey mistakes killed us !! Wolves is must win now !!
Great commitment shown considering the number of injuries. But, yet again, I have to question the manager’s decision making. Firstly, in recalling Bassey. Love the guy but he has not been at his best so far this season. Cuenca’s performance vs Arsenal was surely good enough for another start. Ultimately, regrettably, it was two errors by Bassey that came back to bite the manager on the bum.
The selection of Smith Rowe also baffling and, regrettably, his half-time substitution said it all.
Thirdly, pre-match, in saying why Kevin was not starting, Silva, yet again, referred to Iwobi as a winger. So frustrating as he is anything but. His first half performance was simply abysmal; constantly misplacing passes.
Second half, with Iwobi moved inside, he actually looked a decent player and, with Kevin, wide left, for the first time, we offered a threat down that channel, culminating in the equaliser.
Stone me! Silva then took off Traore and moved Iwobi out to the right wing where, once more, he faded into obscurity and Kevin stopped getting the ball.
For some obscure reason, Silva persists in playing with two wide men and a lone striker even when we don’t have the personnel. There’s just no auxiliary plan other than, on rare occasions, to throw on an extra striker in dire circumstances -which just causes confusion.
Reverting to his pre-match explanation on why Kevin isn’t starting games, we are told that it’s because he has not mastered his defensive responsibilities?
While I appreciate that all attacking players have to be prepared to track back and put in a defensive shift, I ask: is that why we paid a club record fee for him?
The answer is a resounding NO. We bought him because of his perceived attacking prowess. Most fans could care less about his defensive duties. We want somebody who can offer an attacking impetus on the left wing.
Kevin HAS to start against Wolves. Is he the answer to our attacking woes? I have no idea because we only ever see him in patches. We need to see him play a full 90 minutes so we can judge whether he is the real deal or, for the second year running, we have expended record amounts on a dud.
Still too good to get worried but, if Burnley beat Wolves, we sink further towards the bottom three and we need to start picking up points.
Four defeats in a row very worrying we always seem to be competing with no end result will these next few games be the defining moments of the season
Questions are now being asked about the players, about LATE recruitment ie
Transfer window,size of the squad? And are certain players good enough also loyalty by our manager and lastly Marco Silva
All we keep hearing is this player needs more minutes, and he’s not quite ready etc questions today about Bassey,I feel Cuenca should have started what has he done to sit on the bench also Cairney, Adama and Jimenez don’t get me wrong I love TC but what about Harrison Reed,Kusi Asare coming on four minutes in extra time we don’t score enough goals especially our Midfield and Finally Berge again Big Question mark Biggest guy on the pitch should be a bulley in midfield does not score ever seems very one dimensional not good enough
I ask these Questions Bassey has made numerous mistakes this season costing us .Why is he in the team when we have Cuenca has been good to outstanding when he plays. King should have started instead of ESR. Why pay all that money for Kevin and not start with him Iwobi is a midfield player and not a winger.I still have doubts about Berg. Lukic being back was an enormous plus and in my opinion was our best player I concur Wolves is a must win match otherwise we will be serious trouble
A long trip there and back today to suffer a last-minute loss. I’m equally in awe of the effort the boys put in to get so close but exasperated that we lost it right at the end. Not sure why Lukic was sacrificed as you put it, Dan.
I’m worried that we’ve forgotten some of the lessons of the first couple of campaigns in the Premier League. Disappointing too that so many of the players sauntered off the pitch without clapping the fans. Hopefully, it will be better on Tuesday night and against Wolves, which is now a massive game.
Several of the contributors above have said what needs to be said about Bassey. I was surprised to see Cuenca dropped – let’s hope a few of the boys are fit again for next weekend.
This will be a long, hard season. Yesterday the effort was there but some players are still not giving their all. This might sound baffling but I might looking forward to losing the Nigerians to the Afcon, loads of smiles and dances lately but lack of commitment to the cause. The next fixture has suddenly become of monumental importance!