Newcastle have nodded off too often this season just as the plot thickens. This time, Bruno Guimaraes came alive and scripted a winning finale.
Late goals against Liverpool, Arsenal and Brighton have cost them their three defeats in the Premier League. When the fourth official reveals the number of minutes added, it has signalled 40 winks for the Magpies. Not here.
Eddie Howe’s second-half changes did just that, changing the game in his side’s favour with Fulham looking the more likely victors approaching the hour.
And so, with the hosts pressing for a winner in the 90th minute, substitute William Osula drove at a retreating backline and drew a save from Bernd Leno. Guimaraes, the captain wearing his cape, swooped to turn in the rebound.
This was a big win for Howe and Newcastle, whose league campaign has stuttered and stumbled to date. So does the past week, on the back of a 3-0 win over Benfica, mark a corner turned?
Daily Mail Sport’s CRAIG HOPE was at St James’s Park to run the rule over Newcastle and Fulham.
Newcastle beat Fulham 2-1 on Saturday afternoon thanks to a late Bruno Guimaraes goal
Eddie Howe’s second-half changes provided the boost his side needed to pick up the three points on Saturday
SUB STANDARD!
Howe has spoken a lot about his squad depth being stronger than ever this season. He had to lean into that well in the 61st minute. Fulham had not long equalised after Sasa Lukic headed in when the Newcastle boss made a triple change.
Three subs in search of three points was his masterplan, because at this stage it was in danger of being none. Jacob Murphy had given them an 18th-minute lead and with it the game changed – in Fulham’s favour. The hosts became sloppy and slow.
But the arrival on Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes and Fabian Schar – and later Anthony Elanga and Osula – gave the contest a whole next complexion.
‘We needed to inject some different energy,’ said Howe. ‘After that, we were the dominant team, and you’re just hoping you take one of those chances.’
WILL POWER!
Osula nearly joined Frankfurt in a £30million deal on deadline day, before the club’s owners pulled the plug when the terms changed to a loan move. What an inspired decision that looks now, because without him, Newcastle would not have won here.
The 22-year-old Dane can have the look of a dog chasing pigeons at times, but he certainly had Fulham in a flap. He added bark and bite after replacing Nick Woltemade in the 86th minute and his intensity allowed Elanga to nick the ball at the onset of the move that led to Guimaraes’ goal.
‘Will is influencing matches,’ said Howe. ‘When you come on you have to impress, and he is doing that.’
It was, deservedly, his name that rang out around St James’ Park in the moments after the winner.
William Osula nearly left Newcastle on deadline day, but the Magpies pulling out of the deal looks an inspired decision
STEADY MURPHY!
Newcastle are a better team with Jacob Murphy in it. He spent most of last season creating goals for Alexander Isak. In the Swede’s absence, he has started creating them for himself.
His goal to give Newcastle the lead was the footballing equivalent of caught and bowled. When defender Calvin Bassey dawdled in possession and attempted to clear, Murphy blocked his escape route downfield. Winning the ball from his charge, he scurried clear and finished low across Leno.
He is keeping £55million simmer signing Elanga out of the team, and rightly so on current form.
BACK IN BUSINESS?
Given Newcastle were only minutes from what would have been a damaging draw – they need to win home games like this – it is perhaps too soon to declare their league season back on track. They still have not won away from home, for example.
But there was something about the collective will of the final half hour that suggested they might just be peeking around the corner at least.
‘Late goals don’t just affect the game you’ve won, it affects mood and belief going forward,’ said Howe. ‘It can have a big knock-on effect. We’ve had heartbreak the other way. This felt like a massive moment for us. We found a way to win.’
Now, Newcastle have to find a way to win again, and again. They have scrambled back into the top half of the table for the first time in six weeks, but only better consistency will keep them there.
