Fulham too good for sorry Toon
Fulham ensured Newcastle's trip to the capital was a disappointing
one as Chris Coleman's men claimed a well deserved 2-1 win at
Craven Cottage.
Newcastle handed a debut to Oguchi Onyewu, but he failed to shore
up their defence as Heidar Helguson and Brian McBride claimed a
goal apiece.
The margin of victory could have been greater as Fulham threatened
to run riot, but they were caught out late on as Obafemi Martins
netted a consolation, and this result will leave Magpies chief
Glenn Roeder with much to ponder having failed to really strengthen
his squad in January.
Fulham were dealt a blow prior to kick-off as keeper Antti Niemi
had to pull out after damaging his back in the warm-up and was
replaced by Jan Lastuvka, but the Czech had a fairly quiet advent
to the game as The Cottagers set the tempo.
Carlos Bocanegra should have done better than heading wide of the
post on five minutes having been allowed the freedom of the
Newcastle box by Stephen Carr, while Brian McBride drilled a shot
wide from distance as Fulham's forwards provided Magpies debutant
Onyewu with a tough baptism.
Newcastle took some 20 minutes to fashion a chance, but it was
hardly worthy of the name as Kieron Dyer sliced well wide from
Damien Duff's low cross.
The chance did at least hand Newcastle a foothold in the game and
Martins was a constant threat with his pacey running, but they
still failed to warm Lastuvka's hands as Scott Parker fired over
following a neat turn 25 yards from goal.
James Milner has been a shining light for Newcastle in recent weeks
and he produced a terrific piece of wing play just before the break
when tricking his way past Franck Queudrue and threatening to go
run amok in the Fulham box, only to be crowded out just as he was
about to tee-up Martins.
Carr's failure to pick up Bocanegra early on almost cost his side
dear and a serious misjudgement with a back header was nearly
pounced upon by Fulham, but Steve Harper was able to clear his
lines.
Newcastle came within a whisker of opening the scoring moments
before the break as Lastuvka made a fine save from Taylor and
Onyewu, who settled in well following a shaky start, saw his
follow-up effort blocked on the line by fellow American
Bocanegra.
With little inspiration on show, it was no surprise that an error
opened door. Nicky Butt inexplicably played a backpass into the
path of Helguson who accepted the present with glee as he clipped a
shot over Harper.
Newcastle's response was a free-kick from Milner which flew a foot
wide, while at the other end a swerving drive from Michael Brown
fizzed narrowly off target.
Referee Phil Dowd could well find himself on Titus Bramble's
Christmas card list, as the official chose to mete out only a
yellow card to the defender after he had felled Helguson with the
striker set to run in on goal.
Carr, who was disappointing all afternoon, failed to heed an
earlier warning as he allowed Bocanegra to run free in the box and
it took a clearance on his own line from Milner to spare his
blushes.
The reprieve was only brief, however, as substitute Papa Bouba
Diop, who was only in the squad due to the injury to Niemi, brushed
aside the challenge of the hapless Carr before teeing up McBride to
slot home.
Good goalkeeping from Harper and some wayward finishing from Fulham
kept the scoreline respectable and Newcastle claimed the scantest
of consolations as Martins collected a long ball from Nolberto
Solano before slamming home.