Newcastle 0-0 Fulham
One to forget for Newcastle United, as whilst they left St James with a point, the performance was not one that the home fans would be glad not to see again.
It should have been better against a Fulham side who’d not kept a clean sheet all season. And you could see why. Every time the Magpies did put their back line under pressure you could see the panic.
At the other end Newcastle we pretty comfortable until the last few minutes. A crazy run from Kamara led to a great challenge from Lascelles, whilst the clearest chance was the result of a back pass to Dubravka that got caught under his feet with the Newcastle keeper lucky not to give the ball to Mitro as the Fulham number 9 tacked the keeper on the penalty spot with not another player near either of them.
STARTING XI: Dubravka, Manquillo (Yedlin, 84), Schar, Lascelles, Dummett, Ritchie, Atsu (Kenedy, 72), Ki, Diame, Perez, Rondon
Huge penalty claims at both ends, first for Newcastle as Kenedy was clearly pulled in the Fulham box, and then for Fulham with it unclear if Lascelles or Dubravka punched the ball away after a late strike.
And that was about it.
There was much talk after the game about Newcastle playing with one up front, but in truth the issue was the usual one. Well organised but lacking that real quality to break even the worst defence down when they are as stubborn as this.
Just table topping Liverpool up next, away. Hmmm