Fulham 0-2 Newcastle United

Fulham closed out the 2020/21 season with a 2-0 defeat against Newcastle United, as supporters returned to Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon.

Joe Willock’s first half strike gave the visitors a slender lead at half-time before Fabian Schar put the match beyond doubt from the penalty spot in the 88th minute. 

Scott Parker made three changes to the side that had drawn with Manchester United in the week at Old Trafford. Marek Rodák returned in goal, with Player of the Season Alphonse Areola seeing out his last match for the Club from the bench. Josh Onomah came in for the injured Harrison Reed, and Kenny Tete returned to the starting XI with Mario Lemina dropping to the bench. 

It felt as if the stadium was once again full of life as the referee got the match under way. The 2,000 fans roaring their team on. 

Buoyed by the atmosphere, Fulham started brightly. In the 10th minute we had our first clear opening. A long diagonal ball was controlled expertly on the left wing by Ademola Lookman. After quickly cutting in from his flank the winger flashed a low effort wide of the post. 

Lookman was at the heart of it once again minutes later. Picking up the ball on the halfway line, Ade showed electric pace to surge forward towards the Magpies box. Unselfishly, he passed to Ivan Caveleiro to his left and the Portuguese forward curled one just wide of the far post. 

In the 23rd minute the visitors were in front against the run of play. After losing possession high up the pitch, Newcastle flowed forward at speed. Willock, in search of his seventh goal in seven games, flashed a shot against the legs of Tosin in the box and after a fortuitous deflection to his feet, the in-form midfielder rifled one home. 

Cavaleiro fizzed one inches over the bar in the 38th minute but it proved to be the only moment of significance in an uneventful closing 10 minutes of the half. 

Parker made a change at half-time with André-Frank Zambo Anguissa being replaced by Ruben Loftus-Cheek. 

The change had the intended effect and with increased zip in moves forward Fulham were able to disturb an otherwise collected Newcastle back line. 

In the 56th minute we had a gilt-edge chance to draw level. A loose pass was latched upon by Fabio Carvalho and with Cavaleiro available on the overlap he played a perfect ball to the feet of the forward. With only the keeper to beat he flashed an effort well over the bar. 

In the 64th minute Carvalho went alone. After crafting some space for himself on the edge of the box, the creative midfielder whipped a right-footed shot just wide of the post. A lovely effort from the youngster, oozing confidence and craft. 

The atmosphere petered out, the chances dried up and the visitors were perfectly contented to sit back and soak up our pressure. 

To add insult to injury Newcastle were awarded a penalty for a clumsy tackle from Tete on Matt Ritchie. Schar stepped up and stroked the penalty into the bottom left hand corner to ensure the three points returned to Tyneside.