Ah, football. It's nice to have you back. Thank you for your company this evening.

Be sure to join us on the BBC Sport website and app from 12:00 BST tomorrow for a dedicated live text commentary on the EFL - a service we will be providing every Saturday during 2016-17.

I'll leave you with Phil Cartwright's match report as Fulham started the season in style with victory over promotion favourites Newcastle...

Jermaine Jenas
Former Newcastle midfielder on Radio 5 live

It really is! That game didn't go to plan for a lot of people, in terms of how people thought the Championship might go.

You look at the Newcastle squad and it's full of Premier League players from last year. But Newcastle didn't look like scoring from minute one.

Robbie Edwards: I know it's early days but this shows you that the Championship isn't a easy league, even if you spend big.

Freddy Harper-Davis: Looks like Newcastle have started as though they were still on holiday, Fulham played far better than them.

Fulham were rewarded for a positive approach by taking the game to Newcastle, rather than sitting back and taking what Newcastle threw at them.

In Matt Smith's header, they took the big chance that was presented, and then took advantage of Newcastle's frenzy to equalise to control the game.

Dennis Odoi was a real plus at the back, and Tom Cairney was a big outlet alongside new signing Floyd Ayite.

Image source, Getty Images

Matthew Vins: Looks like the big boys of Newcastle and Aston Villa will discover the true perils of the Championship this season...

Danny Charity: Can Newcastle do it on a balmy August Friday night in Fulham? It seems not.

Image source, Rex Features

Jermaine Jenas
Former Newcastle midfielder on Radio 5 live

Fulham thoroughly deserved it. They marshalled the game as they wanted it to go, they picked their opportunities to attack and Matt Smith was the match-winner.

For Newcastle, it's back to the drawing board. It just didn't go their way.

Image source, Rex Features

Image source, Rex Features

Matt Smith's first-half header was enough to seal an opening day defeat for Championship promotion favourites Newcastle United and get Fulham's campaign off to a flier at Craven Cottage.

The Magpies battled throughout, and could have had two penalties with winger Matt Ritchie involved in both incidents which were waved away by Simon Hooper.

Fulham were deserving of the win for their efforts, but Newcastle were unable to fully bear their teeth on a frustrating night at the Cottage.

Much for Rafa Benitez to ponder if his side are to live up to their billing and secure an immediate return to the top flight.

Jonjo Shelvey's free-kick is a damp squib, comes off Adam Armstrong's knees and out for a goal kick.

Last throw of the dice topples off the table.

Fulham running the ball into the corners to keep Newcastle away from that precious equaliser.

They're teasing to a chorus of 'Oles!' from the Fulham crowd.

Rolando Aarons gets a cross in, then a free-kick goes Newcastle's way on the edge of the box, although inexplicably after Newcastle had an advantage through Daryl Janmaat.

Jermaine Jenas
Former Newcastle midfielder on Radio 5 live

Matt Ritchie is well within his rights to complain, but I think it hits his legs and then his arm. I think the referee has got that one right.

Jonjo Shelvey's face is a picture. It's been a frustrating night for the Magpies.

Four minutes of added time.

Matt Ritchie again, with a scorching shot. Handball shout again, from a Fulham player. No penalty again, from Simon Hooper.

The injustice meter is off the scale now for Newcastle.

One minute to go.

The old Fulham Rugby League Club would have enjoyed that looping wallop over the crossbar by Lasse Vigen Chrstensen.

Cutback found him in space and it could have been lights out for Newcastle.

Two and a half to go.

Tim Ream is coming on for Scott Malone. I'm not even going to attempt any 'reem/ream' jokes.

I'm better than that.

Denis Odoi calmly nods the ball back to the goalkeeper after another Newcastle cross is swung into the box.

Fulham now have the ball and are just teasing the visitors by nudging the ball around in space.

Newcastle have to go for it. Scott Malone is coming off.

Image source, Reuters

Newcastle throwing the kitchen sink at Fulham, to borrow a fine cliche.

However the home side are standing firm. Denis Odoi has been a bit of a rock.

Adam Armstrong scuffs a shot towards goal after Fulham fail to clear their lines.

Half-chance. He has his hands on his head. Disappointing.

Jonjo Shelvey comes on for Isaac Hayden. Can the England international unlock the door?

Matz Sels called upon to save Newcastle from going further behind.

Have Newcastle got the materials to pull this back? Just under 15 minutes to do it.

Fulham have grown in spirit and adventure, and they might with a goal lead.

Paul Dummett enters the book, Newcastle's first to pickup the booking.

Cleaned out Denis Odoi to give Fulham a free-kick.