An absolutely shocking way to finish what has been a season to largely forget.
Any positivity going into our final game of the season on the back of three games unbeaten was well and truly extinguished, United turning in a dreadful performance this afternoon at Craven Cottage.
Newcastle fell behind in the 20th minute when Isaa Diop reacted quickest after the Brazilian Kevin’s freekick came back off the crossbar, the Fulham central defender stooping to head home unchallenged from six yards.
The goal was certainly a wake up call and United were stung into more urgent endeavour in their brightest spell of an unforgettable match, first Guimaraes with a 25 yard effort on goal was saved by Leno before the German repelled Ramsey’s effort a few minutes later.
Such were the conditions, two water breaks were needed before half time as both sides toiled in the searing heat.
With the home side ahead at the interval, the omens were far from good, experience has shown that when trailing at half time this season, Newcastle United don’t go on to win.
And so it proved.
Barnes came on after the break for Jacob Murphy as United changed to a back four.
Fulham looking comfortable though throughout the early exchanges of the second half.
A forlorn looking Guimaraes booked for handball when he was undoubtedly fouled, deciding he’d had enough. Exiting the field in the 66th minute, his replacement Anthony Elanga doing nothing to justify his £55 million price tag.
By that stage, Barnes was on for Murphy and Wissa had replaced Osula, but if anything, United looked even more unbalanced and when Tom Cairney’s fabulous strike from outside the box beat Nick Pope all ends up in the 73rd minute, the match as a contest was over.
On the touchline, the manager looked lost, sending on Sean Neave and Alex Murphy in what looked like desperation, whilst the likes of Gordon remained rooted to the bench, and a season that promised so much and delivered just fleeting highlights petered out in dismal fashion, Newcastle United’s twelfth placed finish our lowest during Howe’s tenure.
Fulham 2 Newcastle United 0 – Sunday 24 May 2026 4pm
Match Stats
Goals:
Newcastle United:
Fulham:
Diop 20, Cairney 80
Possession was Newcastle 54% Fulham 46%
Total shots were Newcastle 7 Fulham 21
Shots on target were Newcastle 2 Fulham 6
Corners were Newcastle 6 Fulham 6
Touches in the opposition box Newcastle 19 Fulham 33
Newcastle team v Fulham:
Pope, Thiaw, Botman, Burn (Alex Murphy 84) Hall, Bruno (Elanga 66), Willock, Ramsey, Jacob Murphy (Barnes), Woltemade (Neave 77), Osula (Wissa 66)
Unused subs:
Ramsdale, Gordon, Ruddy, Trippier