Newcastle missed the chance to move into the top four as Fulham came from behind to win 2-1 at St James’ Park thanks to substitute Rodrigo Muniz’s late goal.
Newcastle were in control of the game at half-time through Jacob Murphy’s 37th-minute close-range opener as Fulham failed to have a shot on target.
But the visitors were a completely different team in the second half as Raul Jimenez deservedly equalised in the 61st minute before his replacement Muniz deftly flicked home an 82nd-minute winner from a free-kick to stun Eddie Howe’s side.
Newcastle mustered only one shot on target in the second half to suffer back-to-back home defeats and they will need to be much improved for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Arsenal, live on Sky Sports, if they are to make their 2-0 first-leg lead count.
Wednesday 5th February 7:00pm
Kick off 8:00pm
It had looked to be a comfortable afternoon for Newcastle as they dominated the first half with Fabian Schar denied by Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno and Sandro Tonali hitting the bar before Murphy smashed home.
But Marco Silva’s half-time team talk worked wonders as the Cottagers were immediately on the front foot, registering two shots on target in the first two minutes of the second half, with Jimenez eventually levelling first time.
Alexander Isak came close to restoring Newcastle’s lead as he hit the bar in the 75th minute, but just seven minutes later Fulham completed the turnaround as Muniz poked fellow substitute Andreas Pereira’s free-kick past Martin Dubravka at his near post.
The late victory gave Fulham their first league win at St James’ Park in 16 years to lift them up to ninth, with Newcastle’s defeat leaving them fifth.
Howe confident Newcastle will step it up for semi-final
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe speaking at his post-match press conference:
“I think Wednesday night is a totally different game. I don’t think there’ll be too many parallels from today’s game.
“I just think there were similarities in the two home games we’ve just had. I didn’t think we were as bad today as we were against Bournemouth and we had our moments.
“At 1-1, I thought it was our best period of the game. If we score there, the game is very different.
Newcastle’s Jacob Murphy has been directly involved in 10 goals in his last 10 Premier League games
“But we didn’t, of course. It’s hugely frustrating because I know how much better we are than that performance. We just looked a little flat for whatever reason.
“Today is a reminder again – not that I need it – that any team can beat you if you drop below, in any stadium.
“I was really confident we would perform well today and it really hurts that we didn’t. We have to recover quickly because there’s a game around the corner, a massive game in our season. We need to make sure we get ready for Wednesday night.”
Silva: What a second-half reaction from us
Fulham boss Marco Silva speaking at his post-match press conference:
“First half, I think they were much more aggressive than us. We made a big impact second half and what a reaction from us.
“The first 30 minutes of the second half, the team reacted really well, we took control of the game.
“(We scored a) great goal on a great offensive transition from us, our first goal; a really sharp move from Rodrigo on the second goal, a well-prepared wide free-kick from ourselves.
“Overall, I think we deserved the three points for the reaction of the players.”
Analysis: Newcastle enter crunch February out of sorts
This was not the performance and result Newcastle boss Eddie Howe would have envisaged heading into a crunch run of games in February.
Fulham spoiled his 700th game as a manager with a comeback win which will give Arsenal real hope heading into Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg at St James’ Park, where the Magpies have suffered back-to-back defeats.
Their second-half performance was alarmingly poor as Fulham dominated the play with the home side creating just one big chance.
Newcastle will need to be significantly better in midweek if they are to protect their 2-0 first-leg lead and reach the Carabao Cup final.
Beyond that, Howe’s side have an awkward FA Cup fourth-round tie at League One leaders Birmingham followed by some daunting Premier League fixtures.
Newcastle face three of the top six as they go to Manchester City, host Nottingham Forest before heading to leaders Liverpool.
With Howe not expecting the club to conduct any further transfer business in the winter window, he will have to look internally to fix their problems.
If he can do so, then come the end of his 705th match he could well have steered Newcastle to a cup final, the FA Cup fifth round and reignited their top-four hopes.
A huge month lies ahead.
