Best (66)
St. James' Park
Barclays Premier League
(Attendance: 42,684)
Newcastle 2 Fulham 1
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Journalist
At St. James' Park
Newcastle United 2 (Best 48, 66)
Fulham 1 (Dempsey 88)
A second half double from Leon Best extended Newcastle United's unbeaten start to the season to four games as they beat Fulham 2-1 at St. James' Park on Sunday.
A drab first half saw chances few and far between for either side, but Best sparked the contest in to life three minutes after the restart with a close-range finish after Yohan Cabaye's shot had been pushed on to the crossbar.
And the former Coventry striker added his and the hosts' second when he finished off a swift counter-attack involving Gabriel Obertan and Demba Ba.
Clint Dempsey halved the deficit with time running out but Fulham were unable to salvage anything from the contest and Newcastle claimed all three points.
The first chance of any note came Fulham's way on seven minutes but, following an extended spell of possession, midfielder Steve Sidwell could only blaze harmlessly over from 20 yards.
Newcastle hit back straight away and Peter Lovenkrands tried to re-direct Yohan Cabaye's mishit shot, heading narrowly wide of the upright, while Cabaye was inches away from connecting with a low Obertan pass on the edge of the box which would have surely led to a shot on goal.
Chances were few and far between as both sides had plenty of possession but with no final ball. Ryan Taylor, Newcastle's free-kick maestro, attempted to net his third goal in as many games direct from a set-piece on 33 minutes but fired into the wall.
It took until a minute before the break before the best chance of the half was created. Obertan's lay-off to Cheik Tiote was delivered into the danger zone by the midfielder. And allthough Jonas Gutierrez rose highest above the Fulham defence, he was unable to gain enough power on his header to find a way past Mark Schwarzer, who saved down low to his right.
There was more action in the final exchanges of the half than there had been in the rest of the opening 45 minutes. First, Best saw a shot deflected behind following a brilliant run from Obertan, then from the resulting corner Cabaye forced Schwarzer to tip his curling strike over the top, and then finally Ryan Taylor stabbed an effort agonisingly wide of the upright.
If the first half had taken a long, long time to get going then the second sparked into life immediately. Ryan Taylor's throw-in set Cabaye up nicely for a long range strike, and the French international's 25-yard effort bounced just in front of Schwarzer, forcing the diving keeper to push it up and onto the crossbar. But Best was on hand to tap home from a couple of yards out and break the deadlock.
The goal drew a response from Fulham, who finally forced Tim Krul into action in the 56th minute. Damien Duff's inswinging cross from the right flank was met by the head of Steve Sidwell, but Newcastle's Dutch stopper produced a fine save to turn the ball over the bar.
Dempsey volleyed the resulting corner wide at the near post, before Duff flashed a low strike into the side netting just past the hour mark.
But the pace in the Magpies' ranks was always going to make them dangerous on the break, and that proved the case as they doubled their advantage on 66 minutes through that man Best again. Obertan strode clear of the Fulham midfield before delivering an inch-perfect diagonal ball from left to right on to the chest of substitute Demba Ba.
The big striker controlled and then sent a driven volley across the face of goal, where a clever backheel from Best set himself up for the scoring chance, which he tucked under the on-rushing Schwarzer.
Krul did well to beat away a Chris Baird shot from 25 yards, after a short free-kick had been played into the defender's path, and Dempsey dragged an effort well wide after finding himself in a good position on the left-hand side of the area. But Krul saved his best for 77 minutes, somehow keeping out Danny Murphy's point-blank header after th Fulham skipper found himself completely unmarked and on the end of Sidwell's chipped cross.
Murphy and Dempsey both wasted free-kicks from good positions for the visitors but they finally had a lifeline with two minutes left on the clock when the latter met the former's set-piece unmarked to head home.
It was too little, too late though for the Cottagers as Newcastle held firm for their third victory in the space of eight days.
Newcastle United (4-4-2): Tim Krul; Danny Simpson, Steven Taylor, Fabricio Coloccini (c), Ryan Taylor; Gabriel Obertan, Yohan Cabaye, Cheik Tiote, Jonas Gutierrez; Leon Best (Haris Vuckic 78, Alan Smith 86), Peter Lovenkrands (Demba Ba 62)
Subs not used: Ole Soderberg, Shane Ferguson, Sylvain Marveaux, Sammy Ameobi
Fulham (4-4-2): Mark Schwarzer; Chris Baird, Brede Hangeland, Aaron Hughes, Matthew Briggs; Damien Duff, Steve Sidwell, Danny Murphy (c), Pajtim Kasami (Andrew Johnson 73); Clint Dempsey, Mousa Dembele
Subs not used: Neil Etheridge, Stephen Kelly, Philippe Senderos, Dickson Etuhu, Marcel Gecov, Karim Frei
Referee: Kevin Friend
Attendance: 42,684 (433 Fulham)
Foul by Alan Smith(Newcastle) on Steve Sidwell(Fulham). Alan Smith(Newcastle) booked for unsporting behaviour. Direct free kick taken right-footed by Steve Sidwell(Fulham) from left wing, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken short by Mark Schwarzer(Fulham).
Corner from right by-line taken short right-footed by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle).
Shot by Demba Ba(Newcastle) left-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), blocked by Aaron Hughes(Fulham).
Cross by Andrew Johnson(Fulham), clearance by Cheik Tiote(Newcastle).
Foul by Moussa Dembele(Fulham) on Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle). Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Matthew Briggs(Fulham).
Goal kick taken short by Mark Schwarzer(Fulham).
Headed goal by Clint Dempsey(Fulham) (high centre of goal) from centre of penalty area (12 yards).Newcastle 2-1 Fulham. Assist (cross) by Danny Murphy(Fulham) from left channel.
Foul by Danny Simpson(Newcastle) on Andrew Johnson(Fulham). Danny Simpson(Newcastle) booked for unsporting behaviour. Direct free kick taken right-footed by Danny Murphy(Fulham) from left channel, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Danny Murphy(Fulham).
Foul by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) on Clint Dempsey(Fulham). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Chris Baird(Fulham) from right wing, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Newcastle substitution: Haris Vuckic replaced by Alan Smith (injury).
Foul by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle) on Moussa Dembele(Fulham). Free kick drilled right-footed by Clint Dempsey(Fulham) from left channel (20 yards), over the bar.
Foul by Cheik Tiote(Newcastle) on Clint Dempsey(Fulham). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Clint Dempsey(Fulham) from right channel, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Moussa Dembele(Fulham).
Shot by Matthew Briggs(Fulham) drilled right-footed from left channel (25 yards), resulting in open play.
Foul by Haris Vuckic(Newcastle) on Clint Dempsey(Fulham). Free kick drilled right-footed by Danny Murphy(Fulham) from right channel (20 yards), blocked by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Matthew Briggs(Fulham).
Gabriel Obertan(Newcastle) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Brede Hangeland(Fulham) from own half, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Foul by Haris Vuckic(Newcastle) on Matthew Briggs(Fulham). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Matthew Briggs(Fulham) from left wing, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Newcastle substitution: Leon Best replaced by Haris Vuckic (tactical).
Outswinging corner from left by-line taken left-footed by Damien Duff(Fulham) to centre, header by Clint Dempsey(Fulham) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), clearance by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle).
Cross by Steve Sidwell(Fulham), header by Danny Murphy(Fulham) from left side of six-yard box (6 yards), save (tipped over) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Damien Duff(Fulham).
Defending throw-in by Matthew Briggs(Fulham).
Shot by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle) drilled right-footed from left channel (18 yards), save (caught) by Mark Schwarzer(Fulham).
Cross by Danny Simpson(Newcastle), clearance by Chris Baird(Fulham).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Shot by Clint Dempsey(Fulham) drilled left-footed from left side of penalty area (18 yards), missed right.
Attacking throw-in by Chris Baird(Fulham).
Cross by Andrew Johnson(Fulham), clearance by Steven Taylor(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Matthew Briggs(Fulham).
Fulham substitution: Pajtim Kasami replaced by Andrew Johnson (tactical).
Shot by Chris Baird(Fulham) drilled right-footed from right channel (25 yards), save (parried) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Foul by Leon Best(Newcastle) on Pajtim Kasami(Fulham). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Danny Murphy(Fulham) from left channel, resulting in open play.
Foul by Demba Ba(Newcastle) on Moussa Dembele(Fulham). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Moussa Dembele(Fulham) from left channel, resulting in open play.
Foul by Gabriel Obertan(Newcastle) on Matthew Briggs(Fulham). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Mark Schwarzer(Fulham) from own half, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Chris Baird(Fulham).
Attacking throw-in by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Foul by Cheik Tiote(Newcastle) on Clint Dempsey(Fulham). Free kick crossed right-footed by Danny Murphy(Fulham) from left wing, save (punched) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Outswinging corner from left by-line taken left-footed by Pajtim Kasami(Fulham) to near post, resulting in open play.
Goal by Leon Best(Newcastle) right-footed (bottom-left of goal) from centre of penalty area (12 yards).Newcastle 2-0 Fulham. Assist (pass) by Demba Ba(Newcastle) from right side of penalty area.
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Shot by Damien Duff(Fulham) left-footed from right side of penalty area (18 yards), missed right.
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Steve Sidwell(Fulham) booked for unsporting behaviour.
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Newcastle substitution: Peter Lovenkrands replaced by Demba Ba (tactical).
Cross by Damien Duff(Fulham), header by Clint Dempsey(Fulham) from left side of penalty area (18 yards), over the bar.
Cross by Damien Duff(Fulham), resulting in ball out of play.
Defending throw-in by Chris Baird(Fulham).
Foul by Danny Simpson(Newcastle) on Matthew Briggs(Fulham). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Brede Hangeland(Fulham) from own half, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Cross by Pajtim Kasami(Fulham), resulting in ball out of play.
Attacking throw-in by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) to near post, clearance by Aaron Hughes(Fulham).
Cross by Danny Simpson(Newcastle), header by Peter Lovenkrands(Newcastle) from right side of penalty area (12 yards), missed left.
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Cross by Damien Duff(Fulham), shot by Clint Dempsey(Fulham) volleyed right-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), over the bar.
Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Damien Duff(Fulham) to near post, clearance by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Cross by Damien Duff(Fulham), header by Steve Sidwell(Fulham) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), save (tipped over) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Chris Baird(Fulham).
Cross by Damien Duff(Fulham), clearance by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Moussa Dembele(Fulham) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Matthew Briggs(Fulham).
Cross by Matthew Briggs(Fulham), comfortable save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Matthew Briggs(Fulham).
Cross by Damien Duff(Fulham), clearance by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Mark Schwarzer(Fulham).
Shot by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) volleyed right-footed from right channel (20 yards), missed left.
Foul by Brede Hangeland(Fulham) on Leon Best(Newcastle). Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) from right channel, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Shot by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) drilled left-footed from left channel (25 yards), save (parried) by Mark Schwarzer(Fulham). Goal by Leon Best(Newcastle) right-footed (low centre of goal) from right side of six-yard box (6 yards).Newcastle 1-0 Fulham. Assist by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) from left channel.
Attacking throw-in by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Mark Schwarzer(Fulham).
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Foul by Brede Hangeland(Fulham) on Leon Best(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) from left channel, resulting in open play.
Cross by Gabriel Obertan(Newcastle), shot by Leon Best(Newcastle) left-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), blocked by Aaron Hughes(Fulham). Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) to near post, clearance by Moussa Dembele(Fulham). Shot by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) right-footed from left channel (18 yards), save (tipped over) by Mark Schwarzer(Fulham). Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) to near post, clearance by Steve Sidwell(Fulham). Shot by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) volleyed right-footed from left channel (20 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by Mark Schwarzer(Fulham).
Defending throw-in by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Cross by Cheik Tiote(Newcastle), header by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle) from centre of penalty area (18 yards), save (caught) by Mark Schwarzer(Fulham).
Attacking throw-in by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) to short, cross by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle), clearance by Moussa Dembele(Fulham).
Cross by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle), clearance by Aaron Hughes(Fulham).
Foul by Danny Murphy(Fulham) on Steven Taylor(Newcastle). Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Danny Murphy(Fulham) on Cheik Tiote(Newcastle). Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Outswinging corner from left by-line taken left-footed by Pajtim Kasami(Fulham) to centre, clearance by Leon Best(Newcastle).
Cross by Chris Baird(Fulham), clearance by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Damien Duff(Fulham) to far post, clearance by Leon Best(Newcastle).
Cross by Damien Duff(Fulham), blocked by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle).
Leon Best(Newcastle) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Chris Baird(Fulham) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Cheik Tiote(Newcastle) on Steve Sidwell(Fulham). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Chris Baird(Fulham) from own half, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Chris Baird(Fulham).
Peter Lovenkrands(Newcastle) caught offside. Direct free kick taken right-footed by Danny Murphy(Fulham) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by Cheik Tiote(Newcastle), resulting in open play.
Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) to near post, clearance by Steve Sidwell(Fulham).
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Foul by Cheik Tiote(Newcastle) on Damien Duff(Fulham). Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Chris Baird(Fulham) from own half, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Matthew Briggs(Fulham).
Foul by Pajtim Kasami(Fulham) on Peter Lovenkrands(Newcastle). Free kick taken right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) curled from right channel (25 yards), hit wall.
Defending throw-in by Matthew Briggs(Fulham).
Attacking throw-in by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Mark Schwarzer(Fulham).
Cross by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle), resulting in ball out of play.
Defending throw-in by Matthew Briggs(Fulham).
Goal kick taken long by Mark Schwarzer(Fulham).
Defending throw-in by Matthew Briggs(Fulham).
Clint Dempsey(Fulham) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Matthew Briggs(Fulham).
Cross by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle), clearance by Steve Sidwell(Fulham).
Attacking throw-in by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle).
Foul by Peter Lovenkrands(Newcastle) on Pajtim Kasami(Fulham). Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Matthew Briggs(Fulham) from own half, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Chris Baird(Fulham).
Foul by Chris Baird(Fulham) on Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Cheik Tiote(Newcastle) on Pajtim Kasami(Fulham). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Danny Murphy(Fulham) from own half, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken short by Mark Schwarzer(Fulham).
Pajtim Kasami(Fulham) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Damien Duff(Fulham).
Cross by Damien Duff(Fulham), clearance by Steven Taylor(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Chris Baird(Fulham).
Attacking throw-in by Chris Baird(Fulham).
Shot by Pajtim Kasami(Fulham) drilled left-footed from left channel (25 yards), comfortable save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Foul by Leon Best(Newcastle) on Pajtim Kasami(Fulham). Free kick crossed right-footed by Danny Murphy(Fulham) from left wing, clearance by Cheik Tiote(Newcastle).
Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Damien Duff(Fulham) to near post, clearance by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Shot by Pajtim Kasami(Fulham) drilled left-footed from left channel (25 yards), blocked by Steven Taylor(Newcastle).
Cross by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle), clearance by Brede Hangeland(Fulham).
Cross by Cheik Tiote(Newcastle), clearance by Steve Sidwell(Fulham).
Goal kick taken long by Mark Schwarzer(Fulham).
Cross by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle), header by Peter Lovenkrands(Newcastle) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), missed left.
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Shot by Steve Sidwell(Fulham) drilled left-footed from left channel (20 yards), over the bar.
Shot by Moussa Dembele(Fulham) right-footed from right channel (20 yards), blocked by Pajtim Kasami(Fulham).
Foul by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) on Clint Dempsey(Fulham). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Danny Murphy(Fulham) from right channel, resulting in open play.
Cross by Matthew Briggs(Fulham), clearance by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Matthew Briggs(Fulham).
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Foul by Pajtim Kasami(Fulham) on Cheik Tiote(Newcastle). Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Matthew Briggs(Fulham).
Leon Best(Newcastle) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Aaron Hughes(Fulham) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Cheik Tiote(Newcastle) on Pajtim Kasami(Fulham). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Danny Murphy(Fulham) from right channel, resulting in open play.