- Newcastle United got away with an unexceptional effort, defeating Fulham 2-0 at Craven Cottage to go to the FA Cup fifth round.
- Sean Longstaff and Dan Burn scored for the Magpies either side of half-time.
- Newcastle will learn of their fifth-round opponents in Sunday’s draw.
Newcastle United got away with an unexceptional effort, defeating Fulham 2-0 at Craven Cottage to go to the FA Cup fifth round.
Marco Silva’s side, still grieving from their EFL Cup defeat, created many opportunities against their well-rested opponents, but they were punished for their lack of ruthlessness as Sean Longstaff and Dan Burn scored for the Magpies either side of half-time.
Newcastle, who will learn of their fifth-round opponents in Sunday’s draw, will face Aston Villa away on January 30, while Fulham will host Everton on the same night.
Amid continuous talk of a move to the Saudi Pro League, Miguel Almiron’s absence from the Newcastle team raised some questions, but the Magpies quickly confirmed that the Paraguayan was absent due to
The returning Jacob Murphy, had the first chance of the game with only six minutes on the clock as Fulham made a mess of moving out from the back, but the winger shot straight into Marek Rodak’s thankful hands.
The fresh-legged visitors kept coming forward, and Kieran Trippier and Anthony Gordon came close to opening the scoring in the 14th minute; the former’s cross was touched away by Rodak, while Gordon shot wide.
After weathering the early storm, Fulham began to show signs of life in the final third, testing Martin Dubravka for the very first time in the 18th minute, but he was able to handle Rodrigo Muniz’s low strike before gladly watching the Brazilian’s 33rd-minute strike glide slightly wide of a nick off Sven Botman.
Dan Burn celebrates with teammates after scoring against Fulham in an FA Cup clash. Photo/ The Mirror
However, the hosts’ progress was rendered meaningless in the 39th minute, when Longstaff lashed a half-volley into the bottom corner, despite replays showing that the ball had been deflected into the midfielder’s path off of Bruno Guimaraes’ arm.
Eddie Howe’s team had the ball in the Fulham net again in the 45th minute, when Murphy blasted a stinging effort across the goal and in through the post, but the offside flag was raised late, but properly.
Only seconds later, the Newcastle winger would have felt empathy for his opposing number Harry Wilson, who succumbed to a shoulder injury incurred early in the first half and was replaced by Willian as three minutes of additional time were displayed on the official’s board.
Only three minutes into the second half, Willian unleashed a thunderous shot past Dubravka, but the Brazilian was also denied by the linesman’s flag, and Newcastle quickly took advantage of the reprieve.
Rodak made a fantastic save from a bullet Botman header in the 61st minute, but the Fulham goalkeeper was unable to pounce on the loose ball faster than Burn, who scored the visitors’ second against his old side.
Howe’s side may probably consider themselves fortunate to be two goals up, but the Magpies were successful in draining the life out of Fulham with their insurance goal, and the Cottagers’ next chance did not come until the 77th minute when Raul Jimenez blasted a header agonizingly over the bar.
Trippier celebrates with the fans after beating Fulham 2-0 on Saturday Photo/ BBC
Antonee Robinson blasted into the side netting only a second later, but Fulham faced a brick wall of Newcastle jerseys and resorted to throwing in optimistic crosses, which invariably resulted in the hosts losing aerial battles.
Captain Tom Cairney had a fantastic opportunity to cut the deficit in the fifth minute of additional time, but when the midfielder opened up his body in a central position, his twisting side-footed shot went wide to keep Fulham’s clean sheet.
Newcastle, who will learn of their fifth-round opponents in Sunday’s draw, will face Aston Villa away on January 30, while Fulham will host Everton on the same night.
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