Newcastle 3-0 Fulham: Magic Miley helps wounded Mags regain momentum

A vital win for Newcastle United, who made it seven straight league victories at St James’ Park against an in-form Fulham side.

We picked up more injuries in the process, but stepped up a gear in the second half against Fulham's 10 men, with Lewis Miley making history to become the club's youngest Premier League goalscorer and Brazilian genius Bruno Guimaraes delivering midfield masterclass.

It feels like a huge three points to get us back on track after three-straight defeats, as the result sending us above Man Utd (who travel to Liverpool tomorrow) and up to 6th. The red card may have been the defining moment, but our reaction to Wednesday's painful defeat was impressive, as we had 71% of the ball, almost 30 shots and ended the game good value for our 3-0 win.

Howe made two changes from midweek, as Dan Burn and Sean Longstaff came into a side missing the suspended Kieran Trippier. Sven Botman was back on the bench, but Alexander Isak was left out as a precaution after feeling the effects of a recent groin injury.

Another game, another injury as a decent start was spoilt by Fabian Schar pulling his hamstring as he broke forward from deep. Another huge blow, even if it was brilliant to see Sven Botman back on the bench.

Emil Krafth came on, seeing Livramento switch to left-back and Burn slot into next to Lascelles, then Fulham went down to 10 after VAR asked the referee to check Raul Jimenez’s reckless smash into Sean Longstaff.

That gave us a much needed lift and more reason to attack a free-scoring Fulham who’d netted 16 in their last four. Gordon struck the underside of the crossbar, although there was a let off at the other end as Joelinton’s stray pass sent Iwobi through. Thankfully, Burn put him under pressure and the former Arsenal winger fired straight at Dubrabka, but we were dealt another blow moments later as Joelinton went down with what looked to be a hamstring injury.

Lewis Miley replaced big Joe and it was our local lad who found the breakthrough in the second half, finishing calmly at the Gallowgate after good work from Bruno. The youngest Mag to score for us in the Premier League, a brilliant moment for the teenage sensation and a big, big goal after a fast start to the second half. Bruno ran the show from start to finish and this was a lovely moment between him and Howe after Miley's opener.

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1-0 soon became 2-0 and that felt like game over, as Gordon’s through ball went past Wilson and the entire Fulham back line to allow Almiron the easiest of finishes. He was criticised in midweek for that first half miss, but he reacted quickly and fired into an empty net to all but seal the win.

We were in total control at this stage and soon made it three, as Burn bundled in at the second attempt after an outside of the foot cross Nobby Solano would've been proud of from Bruno. “He’s from Blyth!” belted around St James’ Park and three changes followed, where Sven Botman replaced Burn to huge cheers after three months out, with Matt Ritchie and Lewis Hall also coming on in place of Tino and Gordon with 10 minutes to play.

It could’ve been 4-0 and a hat-trick of local heroes when Longstaff let rip from just outside the area, only for his powerful shot to fly just over. The midfielder has  been involved in just three defeats in his last 34 starts for Newcastle United and was a key cog once again.

Wilson was desperate for a goal and almost got his wish deep into added time, as his powerful snapshot thundered off the post before Matt Ritchie almost got in on the act at the back post. Fulham had found a way to frustrate us in the first half, yet it was total domination in the final 45.

Bruno was outstanding, Burn made a difference the back, Miley was superb yet again and Krafth also did an impressive job down the right, looking sharp at both ends and strong as an ox.

A bad day on the injury front, but an important win to lift the midweek blues, building back some momentum ahead of next week’s cup quarter-final at Chelsea.

STARTING XI: Dubravka, Livramento, Lacelles, Schar, Burn, Bruno, Longstaff, Joelinton, Almiron, Gordon, Wilson.

SUBS: Karius, Gillespie, Dummett, Botman, Ritchie, Krafth, Hall, A.Murphyy, Miley.