Image source, Getty ImagesNewcastle have lost consecutive Premier League home games for the first time in over a year (since January 2024), recording as many defeats as in their previous 18 matches at St James' Park (W10 D6 L2).
Jacob Murphy has been directly involved in 10 goals (4 goals, 6 assists) in his last 10 Premier League games, contributing more than in his previous 28 appearances in the competition combined (8).
Charlotte Coates
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesWhen the referee blew his whistle for half-time, Newcastle fans could not have been much happier as they were 45 minutes away from moving into the top four ahead of their semi-final showdown with Arsenal.
The Gunners make the trip north to St James' Park on Wednesday as the Magpies look to land another trip to Wembley for the League Cup final.
Was this the worst possible preparation for that? Quite possibly. For the first time in a year, Newcastle have lost two home games on the spin.
"It's the second home game in a row where we haven't performed and that's a huge frustration for us," said boss Eddie Howe to BBC Match of the Day.
Howe's side were well in control up until the half-time whistle and they Marco Silva worked his magic at the break, leading to Fulham flying out of the blocks for the second period and looking dangerous on the attack.
It looked only a matter of time before Fulham found their leveller and once Raul Jimenez had done just that, it looked like the game would go either way.
You could see the disappointment on the Newcastle faces once Substitute Rodrigo Muniz turned in the winner as they knew this was three points that had slipped through their grasp.
Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?
Have your say on Newcastle's performance
What did you make of Fulham's display?
Come back to this page on Sunday evening to find a selection of your replies
Six matches make up Saturday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.
Nottingham Forest v Brighton (12:30)
AFC Bournemouth v Liverpool - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live
Everton v Leicester City
Ipswich Town v Southampton
Newcastle v Fulham
Wolves v Aston Villa (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live
All kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated
Fulham are another team I am finding very hard to predict, but Newcastle are a lot more reliable.
Yes, they were walloped by Bournemouth last time out at St James' Park, but before then they had won five in a row at home in all competitions.
Fulham are capable of causing them problems and showed that when they beat them 3-1 at Craven Cottage in September.
But I am going to go for a reverse of that scoreline here. Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon are in excellent form and they will make the difference.
Sutton's prediction: 3-1
A special episode of Football Daily has been released, as Alan Shearer sits down with Newcastle's in-form striker Alexander Isak.
The Swedish international explains why he's been scoring so many goals this season and also discusses his journey in football and how he grew up watching Spanish football.
He sheds light on his future plans in football and where he sees Newcastle finishing this season.
Image source, Getty ImagesNewcastle and Aston Villa have both been fined for their actions in their Premier League fixture at St James' Park on 26th December 2024.
A statement from the FA reads: "It was alleged that both clubs failed to ensure their players and/or technical area occupants did not behave in an improper and/or provocative way around the tunnel area at half time.
"It was also alleged that the Aston Villa analyst and Newcastle United assistant manager acted in an improper manner during the same incident. Both clubs and Victor Manas admitted to their respective charges, and Jason Tindall denied the allegation against him.
"The Regulatory Commission imposed a £30,000 fine and warning upon Aston Villa, a £20,000 fine and warning upon Newcastle United, and a two-match ground ban and £4,000 fine on Victor Manas. The Regulatory Commission found the charge against Jason Tindall to be not proven, and he will face no further action."
Image source, Getty ImagesAs I said on last week's Match of the Day, I feel that Alexander Isak has put himself into the 'world class' category now, with his performances for Newcastle over the past two seasons.
Along with Mohamed Salah at Liverpool and Manchester City's Erling Haaland, he is one of the three standout forwards we have got in the Premier League.
Sure, the other two have done it for longer in England, but Isak got 25 goals in all competitions last season, and has 19 already this campaign so he is bang on target to smash that total this time.
He's like an assassin, the way he puts chances away, but what I really liked from talking to him is that you can tell he is still looking for ways to improve his game at the age of 25.
I asked him for his favourite, or best, goal that he has scored so far this season, and you will have to watch to find out which one he chose, and why.
What I will tell you is that it was different to my pick, which was his powerful header against Arsenal in November. I saw that as a bit of a throwback goal, the kind that I used to love to score, and it came from what I'd describe as a dream delivery, too.
There was no nonsense from the winger, Anthony Gordon, who just whipped the cross in and it is a fantastic ball - a nightmare for the defenders and goalkeeper but for a forward it was perfect - early, with pace and whip on it. Isak did the rest, and we are getting used to seeing that now.
Phil Cartwright
BBC Sport journalist
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Fulham (kick-off 15:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Callum Wilson is closing in on a return from injury but the striker will not be involved against Fulham, while winger Harvey Barnes remains "two or three weeks away" from being fit again.
After Miguel Almiron's six-year spell at the club ended on Thursday, Howe praised the departed winger: "A very special player and a very special person who will be greatly missed by everyone connected with us. He's a very bubbly and bright personality but, behind the scenes, ultra professional. He did everything he could to be at his very best every day and, from my perspective, you can't have enough of those players who set the right standards."
Howe does not expect any other players to leave before Monday's transfer deadline. "Things can change, but as we stand at this moment I expect the squad to remain the same."
On potential incomings: "Barring something huge happening, we didn't expect it would be a window we would recruit in. That's still the case - we're not actively looking to bring players in. Hopefully, the squad will be in a decent place if we can get Callum and Harvey back."
On facing Fulham again after losing the reverse fixture in September: "It was a tough day - we didn't perform anywhere near where we can. It was a phase when we were struggling to reach our best form. In the Premier League, every team has really strong qualities and on the day they deserved to win."
Newcastle's previous home game was their 4-1 loss to Bournemouth and Howe is keen to remedy that result: "We definitely had that feeling going into the Southampton game of knowing we needed a big response. The players gave that. But that was an away game and we're coming back to the same environment where we didn't perform. We felt we let ourselves down in that moment so it's an opportunity to finally put that game to bed."
Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked how you were feeling following the news that Miguel Almiron has returned to Atlanta United after six years at Newcastle and asked for your standout moments from the Paraguayan.
Here are some of your comments:
Peter: Gracias por todos, Miggy! One of the most hard-working, honest players. I'll remember his smile most of all, and the celebration after he opened the scoring on that glorious night against Paris St-Germain.
Tim: A true club player who gave 110% in every game he played in. Scored our first goal in Europe in two decades and some other crackers as well in his time. He's had a good run and I for one wish him well for the future. A lovely lad as well. Good luck, Miggy!
Joff: Almiron epitomised everything that was exciting about the Toon team as it emerged from the doldrums of the Mike Ashley era. His effort and passion were on show every time he pulled the shirt on. We owe him. He will remain in all Toon hearts for a long time, in the same way as the likes of Nobby Solano and Cheick Tiote.
Ken: Only positive memories of Miggy. His work ethic was probably better than anyone, he was happy and always a smile and he scored some brilliant goals in our best season for years. The only downside was how some fans disrespected him on social media. It makes you ashamed of the fans at times. His love of Newcastle will ensure he will be remembered fondly and always be welcome in Newcastle.
Steve: Miggy let no one down, I just wished the club could have given him a final swansong this Saturday. He would have got the send-off with best wishes like no other. Will miss his smile.
Chris: Miggy was a real dynamo for us when we needed fighting spirit. He helped keep us up and always played his heart out. He loved Newcastle and we loved him back. I know we have to sell to move forward and I can only hope he is happy back in Atlanta.
Image source, PA MediaFormer Newcastle United scout and Crystal Palace adviser Paul Montgomery, speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle, external about the Magpies' pursuit of Palace and England centre-back Marc Guehi last summer:
"Michael Olise had to go [from Palace] because he had a clause in his contract. I wish Newcastle had taken him - he is a special player.
"Palace lost him and also Joachim Andersen, because of his age and the way the deal was to Fulham. The last thing they wanted to do was lose Guehi, who is a super professional.
"Speaking to the chairman [Steve Parish], he didn't want him to leave and he said the fee was £70m because he didn't want it done. Newcastle were in for him, Liverpool looked at the fee and said it was too much, but Newcastle came back.
"What I said to Steve was: 'You wanted £70m, but hang on to him as much as you can, because you'll still get £50m when he's got a year left [on his contract] at the end of the season. You'll lose £20m but you'll gain £130m because you'll stay in the league'."
Newcastle United have held talks with 18-year-old Spanish winger Antonio Cordero over a free transfer when his Malaga contract expires this summer. (Mail), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column
Image source, Getty ImagesNewcastle are unbeaten in their past eight Premier League home games against Fulham keeping six clean sheets in that run since a 1-0 loss in May 2009.
Newcastle United have won seven of their past eight Premier League matches, winning the most points of any side in that time (21), and with only Liverpool (25) scoring more goals (22).
Image source, Getty ImagesWinger Miguel Almiron is to re-join Major League Soccer outlet Atlanta United after six years at Newcastle.
The 30-year-old, who signed for the Magpies in January 2019, scored 23 goals and assisted eight in his 186 Premier League appearances for the club.
Almiron had been a prominent player in Eddie Howe's team over the years and played a part in the return of Champions League football to St James' Park, but this season he has featured just nine times in the league, with eight of those outings coming from the bench.
In total he has made 223 appearances across all competitions.
How are you feeling Newcastle fans? Sad to see him leave? Do you have a standout moment from his time at the club?
Image source, PA MediaWe asked you to tell us one thing that no one is talking about at Newcastle.
Here are some of your comments:
Warren: Lewis Hall is improving game on game and should definitely be in contention to be England's starting left-back if he keeps up this level until the end of the season. Looking more and more like a bargain.
Mark: Enough isn't being said about Murphy and his contributions to Isak's goals. How much longer before the "purple patch" is just recognised as a top-quality player feeding opportunities to Isak almost every game? Always loved the lad and his attitude. Really pleased to see his performances backing that up now.
Gareth: Murphy deserving an England call-up? With the amount of assists and the way he has played this season, he deserves a cap.
Kevin: Our starting 11 is as good as any other top team in England. Their quality, consistency and fitness is the reason why we have been on such a strong run in recent months. But if we lose a couple to a long-term injury, or a loss of form, our league position is at serious risk. We don't have good quality replacements available. Our lack of squad depth means we are at least four good transfer windows from challenging domestically and in Europe.
Benny: Isak's form has masked the fact that the team look tired. We love Howe's attacking style of play but for me some of the key players need a rest. Joelinton, Livramento and Hall in particular as they're just end-to-end all game.
Nat: Just how good Eddie Howe is at working with and improving players. Everyone is talking about the flashy players like Isak and Tonali (who have definitely both also improved under Eddie). But nobody talks about the unsung heroes of the team. These are players that were average in a Newcastle shirt before Eddie arrived. He transformed Joelinton from an underperforming striker to a mountain of a midfielder. Jacob Murphy is in the form of his life with a killer final ball. Lewis Hall is a different player from the kid that came to us on loan. All over the pitch, you can see players that have thrived under Eddie's coaching methods and it's beautiful to see!
Newcastle United are set to beat several Premier League clubs to the signing of 18-year-old winger and Republic of Ireland youth international Kyle Fitzgerald from Galway United. (Football Insider), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column
