Newcastle 1 Fulham 2 – Interesting independent ratings as Eddie Howe’s sack becomes imminent
Newcastle 1 Fulham 2 – Interesting independent ratings as Eddie Howe’s sack becomes imminent
It ended Newcastle 1 Fulham 2.
A match that Newcastle never ever really took control of.
A very open game and the visitors played well.
United had their moments and struck the woodwork twice but Fulham turned it around in the second half, not our day.
Looking at the individuals in black and white, interesting to get an independent perspective on how this played out.
‘Whoscored ratings use data from every single Premier League match, over 200 raw statistics included in the automated calculation of a player’s rating, weighted according to their influence within the game.
Every event of importance is taken into account, with a positive or negative effect on ratings weighted in relation to its area on the pitch and its outcome.’
Now whoscored have published their independent player ratings for this Newcastle 1 Fulham 2 match:
(The Whoscored display can only show ratings on four subs for a team Osula was rated 6.0)
As you can see, five players received a rating of 7.0 or more, but only one of them playing for NUFC.
Jacob Murphy rated 7.2 and I thought he did ok.
However, I thought Gordon (6.3) and Tonali (6.4), along with Burn (6.8) and Schar (6.2) in defence, were arguably United’s best four players.
Newcastle 1 Fulham 2 – Saturday 1 February 2025 3pm
(Stats via BBC Sport)
Goals:
Newcastle United:
Murphy 36
Fulham:
Jimenez 61, Muniz 82
Possession was Newcastle 47% Fulham 53%
Total shots were Newcastle 11 Fulham 15
Shots on target were Newcastle 4 Fulham 4
Corners were Newcastle 4 Fulham 7
Touches in the box Newcastle 32 Fulham 30
Newcastle team v Fulham:
Dubravka, Livramento (Trippier 64), Schar, Burn, Hall (Kelly 87), Tonali, Joelinton (Willock 64), Bruno (Miley 87), Murphy (Osula 87), Isak, Gordon
Unused subs:
Pope, Botman, Krafth, Longstaff
(Newcastle 1 Fulham 2 – Instant Newcastle United fan/writer reaction – Read HERE)
Newcastle United upcoming matches:
Wednesday 5 February – Newcastle v Arsenal (8pm) Sky Sports (League Cup)
Saturday 8 February – Birmingham v Newcastle (5.45pm) BBC1 and BBC iPlayer (FA Cup)
Saturday 15 February – Man City v Newcastle (3pm)
Sunday 23 February – Newcastle v Forest (2pm) Sky Sports
Wednesday 26 February – Liverpool v Newcastle (8.15pm) TNT Sports
(Weekend of Saturday 1 March – NUFC will play in FA Cup fifth round if getting past Birmingham)
Monday 10 March – West Ham v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports
Saturday 15 March – Newcastle v Crystal Palace (3pm)
(Carabao Cup final is on Sunday 16 March, so the Palace match would be postponed if United get to the final)
Eddie Howe admits star was ‘clearly struggling’ as new injury worry emerges
Newcastle United endured a pretty miserable time of things on Saturday afternoon.
Eddie Howe’s side had a genuine chance to put pressure on fourth-placed Manchester City in the Premier League but threw another game away at St James’ Park.
Newcastle lost 2-1 to Fulham despite taking the lead through Jacob Murphy, meaning it’s now two consecutive defeats at home for Howe.
While the Cottagers are a good team and certainly showed that during the reverse fixture earlier this season, Newcastle simply have to be winning home games in which they have the advantage.
Indeed, this is exactly the kind of result which could cost the club Champions League qualification.
Still, Newcastle have little time to wallow. On Wednesday, Arsenal are in town for the second-leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final.
Howe’s side host a big advantage following a 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium what feels like an age ago now but performances like the one against Fulham won’t do much to raise confidence.
What they could certainly do without is another injury but a worry has emerged in regards to Joelinton.
Eddie Howe says Newcastle United star was “clearly struggling” against Fulham
The Brazilian was taken off just after the hour mark against Marco Silva’s side, having appeared to have picked up a knock.
While it remains to be seen quite how severe the issue is, Howe admitted it was clearly impacting Joelinton’s level of performance.
A hugely important figure in this Newcastle team, potentially being without him for what is surely the biggest game of the season is a major concern.
“Joelinton was suffering with a knee injury,” confirmed Howe.
“That was a shame, but he was clearly struggling in that second half.”
Joe Willock frustrates Newcastle United fans after audition
Joe Willock was brought on to replace Joelinton but did little to impact the game.
In fact, Newcastle fans were critical of Willock for his cameo, such was the disappointing nature of the day.
Newcastle were not at their best as a whole but a lack of impact from Willock has to be seen as a major concern considering Joelinton’s injury worry.
Sean Longstaff surely has to be considered for a staring berth as a result.
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