Newcastle fell 2-1 to Fulham at Craven Cottage today with a Danny Murphy penalty strike being the deciding factor as much as the miserable playing conditions defined play. The loss ends the Magpies two match winning streak and sends them back to the relegation zone.Prior to the break Fulham controlled the run of play while little attacking spirit by Newcastle and less than acceptable work rate in the midfield. Jimmy Bullard, as he so often is, created a series of opportunities, pushing his club on and midway the first half Fulham's efforts were rewarded. At the twenty-third minute Andrew Johnson capitalized on a ineffective clearance by Newcastle's Claudio Cacapa that came to him in close range and without hesitation put the ball behind Shay Given. Slowly the match started to even-out in play and before the break Newcastle was starting to assert a more attacking, confident side. After the break Newcastle came out with vigor and twelve minutes in, Shola Ameobi pounced on a loose ball from point bank range for the tying goal. However with twenty-five minutes remaining Andrew Johnson was fouled by Fabricio Coloccini in the area and Danny Murphy calmly converted. Michael Owen entered the match with twenty minutes remaining but his only effort went astray. Newcastle continued to pressure as the match wore on but the equalizer was not to be found.
Newcastle returns to action against Wigan next Saturday.
