The game looked to have slipped by without a win for Newcastle until a £166m tactical call paid off
Newcastle United players celebrate with Jacob Murphy
Newcastle United players celebrate with Jacob Murphy
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Newcastle United stars roared with delight as Bruno Guimaraes rammed home a 90th minute winner at the Gallowgate End.
The Brazilian struck just as the game looked to be drifting to a drab and disappointing draw, but Bruno refused to give up. It led to a host of Newcastle's hooked stars partying in the dugot as Jacob Murphy and Anthony Gordon celebrated in different ways!
Howe made just one tweak to his starting XI by leaving out Jacob Ramsey and bringing back Joelinton meaning Sandro Tonali stayed on the bench and Lewis Miley got his chance. The Magpies made a bright start in the autumn sunshine and Anthony Gordon won a free-kick high on the left after being chopped down by Kenny Tete who picked up a yellow card.
Newcastle clipped the post from the resultant free-kick as Kieran Trippier lifted the ball in, Malick Thiaw headed down and Nick Woltemade fired against the woodwork on four minutes. Three minutes later, Newcastle attacked down the opposite flank with right winger Jacob Murphy striking against the other post.
After a spell of possession and some half chances from Fulham, the Magpies grabbed the lead on 18 minutes. The opener came as Murphy closed down Calvin Bassey on the right and nicked the ball when Fulham were in possession.
Murphy then dribbled superbly on the right of the centre circle before racing down the flank and taking four touches. The winger then fired off the post to beat Bernd Leno and put Newcastle a goal up at the Leazes End.
But Fulham rallied after the opener, with Nick Pope needing to make a big save after Sander Berge blasted at goal, with Adama Traore drilling just wide.
On 38 minutes Murphy burst forward again after an excellent pass from Gordon through the middle. He passed the test of his pace, but failed the test with his finish this time after failing to get good contact on the shot and the ball eventually deflected wide by Leno.
Yet while Newcastle star Murphy went in with his head down as the teams went off at the break, his team were still ahead. Referee Peter Bankes was booed off as he walked to the tunnel after the crowd deemed he'd failed to spot multiple fouls on Woltemade.
Newcastle United's Jacob Murphy celebrates scoring against Fulham
Newcastle United's Jacob Murphy celebrates scoring against Fulham
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Fulham replaced Emile Smith Rowe with Brazilian star Kevin. Newcastle looked like a side in desperate need of a second goal with Kevin asking questions down the left.
United were then dealt a big injury blow as they were pegged back to level terms. Apainful incident unfolded on 56 minutes as Newcastle surrendered their 1-0 lead with Sven Botman clashing heads with Sasa Lukić.
Kevin had teased in a cross from the left before Raul Jimenez struck the woodwork with Lukic beating Botman in the air and the Dutchman coming out second best and injured.
As the Fulham star headed in off the bar, he collided with Botman, who needed lengthy treatment before a decision was made to take him off.
That resulted in Botman being walked around the pitch clutching an ice pack on the back of his head as he headed to the dressing room with medics. And the decision to replace him was instantly made by the home bench with Botman replaced by Fabian Schar.
The ex-Swiss star came in from the cold to make his first appearance since October 1 away to Union SG. Howe also used the moment to freshen things up by bringing on Tonali and Barnes as Lewis Miley and Murphy were hooked.
Anthony Elanga soon followed them on, with Gordon taken off for the final stages. Bruno, Tonali and most notably £55m man Elanga had chances but could not find a way past Leno.
With seven minutes left Trippier hung up a cross for Joelinton at the back post but his header crashed into the side netting. But Newcastle would win it after a last gasp winner from Bruno - but only thanks to a major contribution from substitute William Osula.
Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle United celebrates
Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle United celebrates
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The Dane burst through and blasted a low shot at Leno which the Fulham keeper kept out at the Gallowgate End. But the ball fell for Bruno to lash home what proved to be the winner.
It was a much needed winner for Newcastle and the relief on the bench was there for all to see. Indeed, Anthony Gordon turned the air blue while Jacob Murphy screamed with delight.
The Magpies had won the game in the scruffiest of ways but posted three vital points on the board to climb into 11th place.
Referee: Peter Bankes (Lancashire)
Attendance: 52,152