Newcastle 1-1 Fulham
by Harry De Cosemo

NEWCASTLE United limped to an uninspiring 1-1 draw against Fulham’s brave and resolute 10 men at St James’ Park.

Scott Parker’s side were on top for most of the game and led at half time, but retreated and secured a point after conceding a penalty and having Joachim Andersen sent off.

Support for Steve Bruce is dwindling despite the lack of a crowd and another poor performance will do little to dispel growing discontent, but he insists he tried everything to get the victory.

“In the end, we had every forward player on the pitch,” he said.

“We didn’t play well enough so we are going to get criticised. The one thing we have to do better, is create more, and look after the ball better than what we did.

“Unfortunately, we gave the ball away too cheaply and if you do that in the Premier League then, unfortunately, you will get punished.”

Fulham came into the game with just one away win all season, but set the tone when former Newcastle striker Aleksandar Mitrovic fired a shot towards Karl Darlow in the opening seconds. By the 15 minute mark, they had enjoyed more than 60 per cent of possession, and had restricted their hosts to feeble counter attacks and set pieces.

Their best chance came when Bobby Decordova-Reid stole a march on the returning Paul Dummett and met Mario Lemina’s lofted pass, but he couldn’t hit the target under pressure from Darlow.

It took until seven minutes before half time for Newcastle to muster a first real effort at goal. Joelinton fired the ball into Matt Ritchie at the edge of the area; after being held up, he found Miguel Almiron, who shot straight at Alphonse Areola.

Fulham finally got the lead they deserved with four minutes remaining before the break. Toisin Adarabioyo’s header from a corner was going wide, but deflected in off the unfortunate Ritchie.

Jonjo Shelvey struck a free kick over the bar in the early stages of the second half, but Newcastle, who replaced Fernandez with Isaac Hayden, were still struggling at the back. Cairney could have doubled Fulham’s lead, but failed to connect with a shot inside the box.

With just under half an hour remaining, the game was turned on its head. Newcastle broke at pace through Almiron, who fed Callum Wilson.

The striker was brought down in the area by Andersen and, after checking the VAR monitor, referee Graham Scott showed him the red card. Wilson picked himself up and slotted home calmly from 12 yards.

Fulham kept pushing, and tested Darlow with a stinging effort from Lookman, but eventually sat back. Newcastle looked to capitalise on the extra space by introducing Dwight Gayle in place of Joelinton. Ryan Fraser soon followed, as Dummett was withdrawn.

Despite their man advantage and summoning the cavalry, Newcastle couldn’t find the extra intensity to make a late breakthrough.

Parker fumed at the sending off, but admits his side are finding their feet after a tough initial return to the Premier League.

“We’ve shown a real way about us,” he said.

“We’re learning quickly. It is now one defeat in five and we need to continue like that.”