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Newcastle 2-1 Fulham

Newcastle United's Jacob Murphy and Fulham's Calvin Bassey pictured on October 25, 2025

By Geoff Pruce

A 90th minute goal from Bruno Guimarães denied Fulham what would have been a deserved point at St James’ Park on Saturday afternoon.

 

Having trailed to Jacob Murphy’s finish after a mistake at the back, the Whites rallied in the second half and restored parity through Saša Lukić’s first goal of the season.

 

Both teams pushed for the winner thereafter, with Newcastle having more of the chances towards the end, and they duly took one when Guimarães reacted first after Bernd Leno had denied William Osula.

 

Marco Silva made six changes to his side, a number of which were enforced. In came Kenny Tete, Issa Diop, Calvin Bassey, Lukić, Adama Traoré and Emile Smith Rowe, replacing Timothy Castagne, Joachim Andersen, Jorge Cuenca, Tom Cairney, Harry Wilson and Josh King.

 

Kenny Tete battles with Anthony Gordon

 

A bright start from the hosts saw them hit both posts inside the opening six minutes, with Nick Woltemade and Murphy’s efforts against the woodwork sandwiching a dangerous Guimarães shot that sailed a yard wide.

 

The Fulham response came in the form of Ryan Sessegnon who picked out Raúl Jiménez with an excellent cross, but the striker was crowded out as he looked to get his shot away, which deflected wide.

 

The boys were enjoying a decent spell, so it was a gut punch when Newcastle took the lead, Murphy dispossessing last man Bassey and placing a precise shot across Leno and in via the far post.

 

Two big chances came our way in the 27th minute. First, Sander Berge drew a good sprawling save with a bending shot from the edge of the box, with Adama then drilling wide after picking up the loose ball.

 

Raúl then had a couple of opportunities in quick succession, but was unable to find the target with his header from Lukić’s corner, before failing to connect properly with a shot after being found by Lukić again.

 

Murphy had the chance to double his and Newcastle’s lead when he sprung the offside trap to go in one-on-one, but Leno made a fine save to deny him.

 

Pope was the next goalkeeper called into action, getting down to claim Smith Rowe’s placed effort after we had won possession high up the pitch.

 

Emile Smith Rowe lets fly

 

Kevin was brought on for Smith Rowe at the break, and will have been disappointed not to find a green shirt with his cross 10 minutes into the second half, following a smart reverse pass from Raúl.

 

The Brazilian’s next delivery was miles better, though, picking out Raúl at the far post who was unfortunate to see his first time effort cannon off the bar, but Lukić showed great anticipation and desire to nod the ball over the line.

 

Sasa Lukic celebrates scoring against Newcastle

 

Guimarães should have immediately restored his side’s lead when he had a free header from Anthony Gordon’s cross, but he sent his effort some way over.

 

At the other end, Raúl drew a routine save from Pope with an overhead kick.

 

The game was becoming more and more stretched, with both teams smelling victory. Guimarães was next to try his luck, and wasn’t far away when he let fly from 20 yards, fractionally missing the target.

 

Anthony Elanga then had a dangerous shot bravely blocked by Sessegnon, and Sandro Tonali tested Leno’s grip with a firm strike, as the momentum began to swing in the home side’s favor.

 

The United fans thought Joelinton had headed them back in front with six minutes to play, but he’d actually nodded into the side-netting when meeting Kieran Trippier’s hanging cross.

 

A minute later, Tonali came close to a spectacular goal, lashing in a brilliant volley from a tight angle, but Leno’s save was just as good to deny the Italy international.

 

Our number one was beaten again in the 90th minute, though. Despite denying Osula, Leno could do nothing to stop Guimarães slamming the rebound home, as a point slipped agonizingly through our fingers.

 

Newcastle: Pope, Trippier, Thiaw, Botman (Schär 61′), Burn, Bruno Guimarães, Miley (Tonali 61′), Joelinton, Jacob Murphy (Barnes 61′), Woltemade (Osula 86′), Gordon (Elanga 76′)

Subs: Schär, Tonali, Barnes, Krafth, Osula, Elanga, Willock, Ramsdale, Ramsey

Fulham FC: Leno, Tete (Castagne 92′), Diop, Bassey, Sessegnon, Lukić (Cairney 84′), Berge, Traoré (King 76′), Smith Rowe (Kevin 45′), Iwobi (Kusi-Asare 92′), Jiménez

Subs: Reed, Cairney, Cuenca, Kusi-Asare, Castagne, Kevin, Lecomte, King, Amissah

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