Newcastle United picked up a comprehensive 4-1 win against 10-man Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday afternoon to move up to 7th in the Premier League table.
Newcastle went into the game with only one win in the Premier League this campaign, but stormed to an impressive victory at Craven Cottage, helped by an eighth-minute red card for Nathaniel Chalobah.
The Magpies made a bright start to the game, winning a corner inside the first minute, and had a chance to take the lead when Dan Burn’s effort was denied by Fulham keeper Bernd Leno and Callum Wilson couldn’t convert the rebound.
However, the hosts were down to 10 men when Nathaniel Chalobah was sent off for a rash challenge on Sean Longstaff following a VAR check. Wilson wasted little time to mark his return from injury and set the ball rolling as he bundled home Newcastle’s opener from close range just three minutes later.
Goal-shy Miguel Almiron then doubled the visitors’ advantage in the first half with a remarkable left-footed volley into the top left-hand corner of Leno’s goal. Sean Longstaff pounced on a Bernd Leno save from Sven Botman to make it 3-0 to the visitors just before the break. Almiron then struck his second of the afternoon after tapping in Joe Willock’s low cross from close range.
?️ “Much needed win, I think we got our rewards.”
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe on his sides performance against Fulham today. pic.twitter.com/chgblZlESs
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) October 1, 2022
Fulham pulled one back in the closing stages through Bobby De Cordova-Reid, but it was just a consolation goal as Newcastle cruised at Craven Cottage to secure their first away win of the season. The Hard Tackle will now run the rule over Eddie Howe’s men in what was a fairly comfortable victory against a 10-man Fulham on Saturday afternoon.
Nick Pope: 7/10
A mere spectator in the London heat, Pope had nothing to do all afternoon and could have finished reading a book in between the sticks for Newcastle. Couldn’t have done anything to prevent the goal as it was a pin-point cross for Decordova-Reid’s headed consolation. Unlucky not to come away with another clean sheet here.
Kieran Trippier: 8/10
That cross by Trippier is stunning man, pinpoint.
Not just a Trent aimless hoof, this is next level ball.pic.twitter.com/z0OUEzT8H5
— Dell ? (@agbnufc_) October 1, 2022
Another classic captain’s display. Trippier was never really tested defensively throughout the afternoon. He pushed the team forward, and provided his typical flurry of effective crosses and passes between the lines from the right, including that teasing cross in the lead-up to Newcastle’s opener.
Fabian Schar: 7/10
The Swiss international put up a steady and calculated display. Confident with the ball at his feet, Schar was never seriously tested by a weakened Fulham attack and was aggressive and intense with his few defensive actions.
Sven Botman: 7/10
Botman was back in the starting XI after being dropped against Bournemouth, and he showed his quality at the heart of the back four. He was composed, calm, and sharp in the tackle, and he played some raking long balls and switched plays. He is yet to be beaten in the air in the Premier League, having won both of his contested aerial duels here.
Dan Burn: 7/10
Dan Burn delivered a quality shift at left-back against his former club. It was really a man-mountain display as he man-handled an in-form Mitrovic and didn’t let anybody past him on the left flank despite coming up against a speedy Daniel James, who almost beat him in a foot race, but the Geordie defender stretched his telescopic legs to clear the ball into the stands.
Sean Longstaff: 7/10
A fantastic midfield display from the Geordie playmaker, who looked more comfortable on the right side of midfield three than in the anchor role. Longstaff was on the receiving end of a red card tackle within the opening 10 minutes. He fought hard, won his tackles, and scored a well-taken, deserved goal to round off a committed all-round midfield performance.
Bruno Guimaraes: 8/10
Guimaraes cruised through the afternoon with his silky footwork, sublime passes, and fancy flicks. His sheer presence made the game look like it was nothing more than an attacking training drill, with his through balls consistently breaching the Fulham defence.
He truly ran the show, sprayed the ball around effortlessly, and delivered an assist with a lovely chip for Almiron’s volleyed goal, before being wisely taken off around the hour mark to manage his niggling injury problems.
Joe Willock: 8/10
Willock was the driving force in midfield and deserves credit for his boundless energy in this game. He looks to be finding his usual groove once again, operating in pockets of space, using his turn of pace and making those clever runs into the opposition penalty box.
He also registered two assists – which was good to see when he’s often criticised for his lack of decision-making. Spurned two big chances, but in this form, goals will arrive soon as well. Much better.
Miguel Almiron: 9/10
Newcastle supporters have criticised Almiron for not utilising his right foot more often, stating that the opportunity generally slips away by the time he switches to his preferred left foot. But you can’t blame the Paraguayan for doing so, given that he scores wonder goals with his left foot.
GOAL! Miguel Almiron
Fulham 0-2 Newcastle United#FULNEW | #NUFC
pic.twitter.com/70qXYNpWwp— Fast Goals (@fast_footygoals) October 1, 2022
A magnificent volley and a smooth tap-in—both left-footed—capped off a great performance with two well-deserved goals, and he was cruelly denied a hat-trick by an offside flag, which was another well-taken curler into the far post, and you got it, it was that left-foot again.
Jacob Murphy: 7/10
There were a few eyebrows raised at his inclusion in the starting XI, but he clearly justified his selection with a solid performance. His energy and movement were typically bright, and he got into some dangerous areas with plenty of space, but he still lacked that final pass or the killer cross.
He saw a lot of the ball down the left flank, and penetrated the Fulham backline to good effect, using his speed to run behind them, while he also showed some excellent combination play with his teammates.
Callum Wilson: 8/10
The Newcastle No. 9 didn’t take long to find the back of the net again. He also hit the woodwork and could’ve had a hat-trick in the first half, but gave the team precision in the final third with his clinical nature in front of goal.
He always seems to get into the right positions to finish the actions. Clearly not content with just the one goal on his return before being taken off the pitch by Howe to prevent needless injury.
SUBSTITUTIONS
Elliot Anderson: 7/10
Anderson was given an extended window of minutes to impress against Fulham, with the game effectively done and dusted on the hour-mark. He seemed at ease, turning footballers inside out, combining nicely with teammates around him, and almost got his goal, but his low effort went narrowly wide. Looked bright.
Ryan Fraser: 7/10
Ryan Fraser had a fantastic international break, but Jacob Murphy got the nod over him. The Scotsman was lively and tried to use his pace to make dashes in behind. He combined well with the likes of Anderson and Murphy, with the latter playing him in through on goal and he dinked it over Leno and into the net, but he was flagged for offside.
Jamaal Lascelles: N/A
Didn’t play enough to warrant a rating.
Jamal Lewis: N/A
Didn’t play enough to warrant a rating.
Matt Targett: N/A
Didn’t play enough to warrant a rating.
