Fulham Secures 3-1 Victory Over Newcastle to End Visitors’ Unbeaten Streak

Newcastle United missed an opportunity to ascend to the top of the Premier League table as their undefeated start to the season came to a halt with a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Fulham. The match, held at Craven Cottage on Saturday, September 21, 2024, witnessed Fulham’s dominant performance, particularly in the first half, where they established a commanding 2-0 lead.

Raul Jimenez opened the scoring for Fulham, showcasing impressive control and finishing just moments after Newcastle’s Joelinton had a goal disallowed for offside against Joe Willock. Fulham’s second goal came courtesy of Emile Smith Rowe, a new club-record signing, who capitalized on a well-executed play with Alex Iwobi. Their understanding, dating back to their time at Arsenal, proved fruitful as Smith Rowe’s first-time shot slipped through Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope‘s grasp.

Despite missing an earlier chance when his shot hit the bar, Smith Rowe’s contributions in the first half were pivotal to Fulham’s lead. Fulham manager Marco Silva opted for an unchanged starting lineup from their previous 1-1 draw against West Ham United, maintaining continuity in the side’s performance.

Newcastle, on the other hand, made several changes from their last outing against Wolves, a match they won 2-1. Their lineup included returns for Harvey Barnes, Kieran Trippier, Lloyd Kelly, and Joe Willock, replacing Jacob Murphy, Tino Livramento, Lewis Hall, and Sean Longstaff. Harvey Barnes, in particular, displayed his influence by netting Newcastle’s sole goal early in the second half, firing a low shot into the far corner.

As Newcastle searched for an equalizer, Fulham capitalized on the counter-attack. Despite a notable reaction save from Nick Pope to deny Iwobi, Fulham managed to seal the victory with a late goal from substitute Reiss Nelson. Newcastle skipper Bruno Guimaraes‘ error facilitated Nelson’s opportunity, ensuring Fulham took all three points.

The outcome marks Newcastle’s first loss of the campaign, while Fulham celebrated a well-earned triumph, boosting their position in the league standings. The match was a testament to Fulham’s attacking prowess and their ability to capitalize on defensive lapses.