Newcastle United were outclassed by Fulham at St. James’ Park today as they were hammered by them at their own backyard. Rafael Benitez and his men failed to pile up their lead over second-placed Brighton & Hove Albion and the 1-3 score line perfectly summarises their terrible performance. A goal for Tom Cairney along with a brace from Ryan Sessegnon ensured that the Geordies were to suffer a crushing defeat as Daryl Murphy’s late strike proved to be futile.
Newcastle United Player Ratings Vs Fulham
Karl Darlow 4/10
Newcastle United needed Darlow to step up, but he was manhandled by Cairney and Sessegnon and wasn’t helped much by his defenders either.
Vurnon Anita 4/10
Anita was damaged by the 16-year-old youngster Sessegnon as he ran riot down the left wing for the Cottagers. The right-back couldn’t contain the flamboyance of the winger and was serially outclassed.
Jamaal Lascelles 3/10
It was a forgettable outing for the central defender who failed to deliver and was repeatedly targeted by Fulham’s attackers. Lascelles had an error-prone game, to say the least.
Ciaran Clark 5/10
Clark showed some resistance as he battled time and again to minimise the damage before going off with an injury.
Paul Dummett 3/10
Dummett was guilty of conceding a penalty and it was his error which handed Fulham their second goal of the game.
Matt Ritchie 5/10
Ritchie was one of the silver linings of an otherwise horrible day for the Magpies. He did deliver plenty of crosses but there wasn’t anyone available to receive them most of the time. His end product, however, was lacking.
Jonjo Shelvey 3/10
The former Swansea City midfielder failed to gel with his teammates. Shelvey looked alive in the first half but was severely off-colour in the second.
Jack Colback 5/10
Colback toiled like a workhorse in the middle of the park and gave absolutely everything to turn the tables in favour of his side. He looked very tired in the concluding stages of the game.
Christian Atsu 5/10
Just like Colback, Atsu covered every inch of the grass on the wings but lacked in producing something spectacular. He bagged an assist in Murphy’s consolation goal, though.
Mohamed Diame 2/10
Diame was an utter waste throughout the game as he was unable to cater to what was demanded from him in Benitez’s attacking setup. He should be dropped in the next outing.
Dwight Gayle 5/10
It would be really unfair to give him a bashing, for he wasn’t given much of a service by his teammates. Many a time, he was seen working very hard on his own in the final third, but sadly, failed to find that killer touch.
Substitutions
Daryl Murphy 6/10
Murphy bagged a goal with an impeccable strike after replacing Diame and he did add some attacking tooth to the offensive endeavours of Newcastle United.
Jesus Gamez 5/10
Not a bad cameo from the bench for Gamez as he did try hard to steady his side’s troubled ship after coming on for Clark.
Yoan Gouffran N/A
Came too late as Gayle’s replacement, so should not be judged.
