Bruno Guimaraes' apologises to fans as TV focuses on unimpressed Paul Mitchell in Newcastle defeat


Newcastle United looked like a team who'd just got back from a long European jaunt during this appalling display at Craven Cottage.

Despite having a week to focus on Fulham, Newcastle looked lethargic from the word go and coupled with a host of defensive errors in both halves, the Cottagers took full advantage. After going 2-0 down inside 22 minutes, the Magpies managed to show some teeth in the second half.

But despite Harvey Barnes pulling a goal back an injury time blooper from Bruno Guimaraes handed Fulham three points and inflicted Newcastle's first defeat in the Premier League since April. It ended the fortunate unbeaten record in the top-flight and a less than impressed sporting director in Paul Mitchell, along with his board, could be seen on their feet watching on in disbelief at the final whistle.

Bruno made his way straight over to the away fans to apologise for his part in the third goal with the Brazil international pointing to his chest. Unfortunately, this defeat has to go down as collective responsibility given the sleepy start to proceedings that left Fulham rubbing their hands with glee.

You can question Eddie Howe's decision not to start Sandro Tonali all night but the lacklustre manner in which Newcastle approached this contest cost them dear in the capital.

Newcastle thought they'd gone ahead on four minutes when Joelinton crashed a shot off the bar after an initial attempt. But Joe Willock was ruled offside and Fulham quickly responded.

A sloppy giveaway from Joelinton in midfield allowed Raul Jimenez to pinch the ball in midfield before roaming unmarked into the box. Adama Traore then got free down the right before putting a cross into the danger area and Raul had enough room to turn and fire past Nick Pope.

It was a poor goal to concede from a Newcastle point of view with nobody tracking the Mexican international while Traore was also easily able to weigh up his cross. Moments later things could have worsened for Newcastle when Emile Smith-Rowe drove into the final third before his sizzling shot clipped the bar.

Fulham's attacking intent should have been a warning sign for United but on 14 minutes the 33-year-old nipped in again to beat Dan Burn before a corner was conceded. From the set-piece Joachim Andersen caused havoc before Antonee Robinson lashed a wild shot wide of the post.

The Cottagers did edge further ahead just as the game reached the mid-way mark after Willock lost the ball wide on the attacking left. Traore, who has having a field day, stole the ball before finding Smith-Rowe. The ex-Arsenal star then played a one-two with Alex Iwobi before his tame shot gently rolled past Pope.

Newcastle tried to rally after the half-hour mark with Harvey Barnes drilling a low shot at goal but Fulham came at the Magpies again. Traore shimmied his way down the right again on 34 minutes but Pope managed to save with his feet and keep the scoreline respectable.

Pope pulled off a fine save on 36 minutes after Andersen tried his luck from long range with Fulham piling on the pressure. The Magpies went in looking punch-drunk at the interval after Fulham's 10 goal attempts and that 2-0 deficit.

Howe had rung the changes at Wolves last week during the break and did so again here with Jacob Murphy and Lewis Hall introduced. It took just 30 second half seconds to make an impact as Murphy slipped in Barnes who curved home in the box to beat Bernd Leno and reduce arrears.

A VAR check followed for a possible offside but the goal stood, with Isak onside, and Newcastle were back in the game. Hall then tried to play Barnes in again on 50 minutes but he fired wide.

The home side almost went further ahead when Traore crossed for Iwobi but Pope made a magnificent block. A vicious shot from Bruno Guimaraes on 65 minutes at least showed some fight from the Magpies, but it was unfortunately off target.

Newcastle United's Jacob Murphy celebrates Harvey Barnes goal at Fulham
Newcastle United's Jacob Murphy celebrates Harvey Barnes goal at Fulham -Credit:PA

The sight of Tonali warming up prompted calls from the away end for the Italy star's introduction. But he was still a spectator when Gordon dribbled through with 20 minutes to go and saw a decent effort blocked.

Moments later Murphy drifted down the right before seeing his shot sail over the bar. Then on 71 minutes Schar cashed in a defensive mix-up but struck the side netting. It was Smith-Rowe who lost the ball but Schar failed to find his clinical touch.

Tonali got the call with 17 minutes and entered the pitch alongside Tino Livramento before Trippier and Joelinton went off. The first thing Tonali did when on the field was slide through a positive pass for Isak but it sadly came to nothing.

There were just seven minutes left when £15m William Osula got a chance to shine and a belated Premier League debut in the fifth game of the season. The ex-Sheffield United man replaced Gordon for the dying stages.

But the three points were handed to Fulham on a silver platter as Bruno seemed to get caught daydreaming in the corner of the pitch. He opted to pass it across the 18-yard box straight to te feet of Reiss Nelson who took his time before slamming it past Pope to kill the game.

The celebrations from Marco Silva and his assistant Stuart Gray said a lot at the end with Fulham's feisty approach to the clash the key to this victory. Newcastle must go back to the drawing board and need a response at Wimbledon on Tuesday.

Referee: Peter Bankes (Lancashire)