Fulham 0-2 Newcastle United: Willock scores for seventh game in a row
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Joe Willock became the youngest player to score in seven consecutive Premier League games and is only the second Newcastle player after Alan Shearer to achieve the feat
Newcastle manager Steve Bruce says he hopes some of his team's critics "will eat humble pie and give them some credit" after victory against relegated Fulham saw the Magpies end the season in 12th place.
On-loan Arsenal midfielder Joe Willock scored for the seventh successive game, equalling Alan Shearer's club record, as Newcastle matched their best points tally in the Premier League since promotion in 2017.
"We'll never say it's an achievement to finish 12th for a club of our stature," said Bruce, "but I'm delighted with the way we have ended the season.
"When we really needed the results, the players and staff have worked tirelessly to turn it round."
Willock's opener was a fine one, marauding from his own half before capitalising on a fortunate rebound to lash the ball into the bottom corner.
Fulham huffed and puffed in front of their 2,000 fans but rarely troubled Martin Dubravka in the visiting goal, their afternoon summed up by Ivan Cavaleiro ballooning over with the goal at his mercy.
This 12th blank at home ensures Scott Parker's side take the record of fewest home goals scored in a Premier League season (nine) from Manchester City (2006-07) and Huddersfield (2018-19).
For Newcastle, Fabian Schar's composed late penalty sealed a fifth win in eight games.
Willock on the shopping list
Bruce hopes critics eat 'humble pie' after Newcastle's strong finish
A heavy defeat at Brighton on 20 March left Newcastle in 17th place, just two points above Fulham and with pundits ringing this final-day match as a potential relegation decider.
But the incredible goalscoring form of Willock means they end the season 17 points clear of the bottom three.
Signing Willock permanently from Arsenal must be the priority this summer, with club legend Alan Shearer this week calling for Newcastle to "break the bank" to complete that deal.
Joe Willock had only scored one Premier League goal before arriving on loan from Arsenal in January
All is not well though at St James' Park with owner Mike Ashley still hugely unpopular with many fans and takeover talk quieter of late.
The jury is also still out on Bruce, who has overseen two similar campaigns, flirting with relegation before a spring recovery to stabilise in mid-table.
They were comfortable here against a Fulham side who offered little but they will need further reinforcements - and to keep key players such as Allan Saint-Maximin and top scorer Callum Wilson fit - if a top-10 push is to be considered realistic next season.
Summer of uncertainty for Fulham
Newcastle defeat sums up Fulham's season - Parker
For the fourth year in a row, Fulham enter the summer contemplating life in a different division.
Parker has at times brought an appearance of solidity to Fulham, at least in comparison to their last failed attempt at staying in the Premier League, but it has still ended with the same result.
And with seven loanees returning to their parent clubs, the playing staff looks set for churn once again this summer.
After the game, Parker admitted: "It's a big summer for us. There are big decisions to be made and we need to make sure we make the right ones."
Doubts also persist over his future, given he has been linked with the vacancy at Tottenham, and there have been reports of friction with the Fulham hierarchy.
Whether or not Parker stays, the core of their promotion side remains intact and will be bolstered by the parachute payments that come with a drop to the second tier.
There is also plenty of talent blooming in the Fulham academy - their under-18s side just clinched successive Premier League South titles.
But there is no hiding from those appalling goalscoring statistics - no shots on target in this one either - and a miserable run of two points in nine games to finish the season may cause a lasting hangover.
What they said
Bruce on the possibility of keeping Joe Willock: "I couldn't be more pleased for him. He's done so well. We'll try our utmost to keep him but we must respect that he's Arsenal's player."
Fulham boss Parker: "It was a snapshot of our season. We made a real improvement over a short space of time but we've fallen short in the fine margins and the quality of this division."
The stats - toothless Fulham and clinical Newcastle
Fulham are the first side in Premier League history to fail to hit double figures for home goals in a single season, with the Whites netting just nine in their 19 games in 2020-21.
Newcastle have won five of their past eight Premier League games (D1 L2), after enjoying just two wins in the 19 before that (D6 L11).
Fulham have lost six home league games in a row for only the second time in their history, since losing seven in a row between November 1961 and February 1962.
Since April, Newcastle have scored 18 goals in the Premier League, with only Liverpool (20), Tottenham and Manchester City (19 each) managing more.
Joe Willock is only the second Newcastle player to score in seven consecutive Premier League appearances, after Alan Shearer in 1996, with this just the 13th occasion overall a player has achieved this in the history of the competition.
Since his Premier League debut for Newcastle on 6 February, Joe Willock has scored eight goals in the competition, a total only Harry Kane, Kelechi Iheanacho (11 each) and Gareth Bale (10) could better.
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