Fulham and Newcastle share points (1-1) after late enterainment

Premier League

Fulham (0) 1 Muniz 83  

Newcastle United (0) 1 Murphy 80 

Premier League strugglers Fulham and Newcastle United shared the spoils at Craven Cottage in a game that only came to life in the final ten minutes.

Redemption didn’t take long for César Palacios Pérez. An underwhelming game was heading for a goalless draw when the 21-year from Spain, who had come on as a sub, gave a loose ball on his own half. The gift was picked up by Jacob Murphy who pushed forwards and beat Fulham-goalie Bernd Leno with a rather wonderful shot. A positive and determined Palacios took the kick-off after his bungle and two minutes later his assist was converted by another sub, fan favourite Rodrigo Muniz. Speaking about character.

After these two goals a proper game of football followed, with personal battles, yellow cards and a couple at both ends. Lewis Hall had a golden chance to restore the lead for Toon, but his shot from close range was too weak and went straight to Leno. Deep in extra time his Czech colleague produced a massive save to deny Ryan Sessignon whose half-volley was destined for the back of the net. How Fulham and its Spanish manager Álvaro Arbeloa would have loved a late winner, but this would have been against the run of play.

While a draw seemed the correct result, Newcastle had the edge in this timid affair. After half-an-hour the visitors from the north-east took the lead when skipper Dan Burn poked home a Murphy cross. While the 0-1 appeared on the scoreboard, referee Rob Jones annulled the goal. Initially it was not clear why. Burn was on-side, but replays showed that Yoane Wissa had committed a foul on Timothy Castagne as the ball came into the box. It was a soft decision for a holding offence, but VAR was never going to overrule this.

Newcastle United was the more dangerous side, with Harvey Barnes missing two great chances in the first half, and another after the break. Fulham had opportunities as well. The first came in the 14th minute when Oscar Bobb had time and space to curl the ball with his left-foot from the right, but Hornicek got a hand to it. John King nearly celebrated his England call-up when he volleyed a Iwobi-cross, but the ball went straight to Hornicek. Toon, led by Burn and an excellent German Malick Thiaw, didn’t give away much.

After half-time Newcastle, playing towards their vocal fans in the Putney End, was the better side. It was Fulham however who nearly opened the score when Sander Berge nearly scored his first goal for The Cottagers with an effort from the edge of the box. It went inches wide. Arbeloa tried to change the game, to give his side renewed energy. Twenty minutes before the end he took off golden boy King, and replaced him with the Palacios. The former Real Madrid-player did indeed change the course game, although the result remained basically the same.

Cottagers (4-3-3): Leno; Castagne (Tete 77), Bassey, Affengruber, Robinson; Berge, Charles, Iwobi; Bobb (Sessegnon 77), Gonzalo (Muniz 65), King (Palacia 72)

Toon (4-3-3) Hornicek, Dedic, Thiaw (Schar 85), Burn, Hall; Steur (Pardo 74), Gonzalez (Miley 60), Murphy; Wissa (Willock 60), Barnes, Osula (Elanga 85). 

Attendance: 27.367