The difference between these two teams is simple - street smarts.

Newcastle have bags of quality but a bit like having a big engine in a car, you need to be able to put the power down.

Fulham are just that bit more battle hardened at this level. Not to mention without the stresses and pressure of being promotion favourites.

Adam Armstrong on for Ayoze Perez, a player who made his debut at the Cottage in March 2014.

Can he be the home-town hero for Newcastle?

Jermaine Jenas
Former Newcastle midfielder on Radio 5 live

Scott Malone will be an important player for Fulham this season. He gets up and down the field with ease and he's a great option down the left side.

Image source, Reuters

Scott Malone just drags his shot wide of the post and a second could have been the knock-out blow.

Fulham still a goal up. Smart move and another warning shot.

Scott Parker and Lasse Vigen Christensen come on for Fulham, with Ryan Tunnicliffe and Big Matt Smith - the goalscorer - making way.

Image source, Rex Features

As Ayoze Perez went to grasp the ball for the Newcastle free-kick, Matt Ritchie took it off him.

Better, but still no goal.

Fulham are getting scrappy and giving away some daft free-kicks.

Another chance for Newcastle.

Blatant foul on Ayoze Perez. Who then wastes, with a shoddy effort, his set-piece.

Why? Why? Why?

Then Rolando Aarons follows suit. Airkicking a gilt-edged chance. Calm needed for Newcastle.

Fulham holding on.

Sighter for Matt Ritchie after the ball passed through many pairs of feet but his clean, swerving shot goes through to Fulham custodian David Button for a save.

Love that word, custodian. Favourite goalkeeper phrases please? There aren't many... #bbcefl

Image source, Empics

Rolando Aarons is on to offer some pace and width, with the more conservative Jack Colback making way for Newcastle.

Big statement of intent for Senor Benitez.

Floyd Ayite and Tom Cairney are having a bit of joy down the respective flanks for Fulham.

Dangerous. Newcastle have had lots of possession but Slavisa Jokanovic has set the hosts up well.

When will Rafa Benitez make changes? Er... now.

Image source, Reuters

Great chance Fulham!

Ball in the box was headed down by big Matt Smith (big must be part of his name) and as the onrushing Sone Aluko came into finish he was sent tumbling, with Grant Hanley looking the guilty party.

No penalty again says Simon Hooper. One each on that score!

Image source, Getty Images

Matt Ritchie has had a couple of bites of the cherry, one well saved and the second Denis Odoi, who he's tussling with here, got to first and took a painful whack in the leg.

Still Fulham ahead.

Jermaine Jenas
Former Newcastle midfielder on Radio 5 live

When Matt Ritchie gets into those positions, he doesn't miss many. Fair play to David Button, who stuck his leg out and his top save has kept his side in the lead.

Some sharp football by Fulham is eventually dealt with by Newcastle. They have a bit of pace and have been buoyed by their performance so far.

Newcastle though do have evident quality. Vurnon Anita played in Matt Ritchie via a deflection but his shot went straight at the goalkeeper David Button.

Best chance for the visitors.

Good chance for Newcastle, Daryl Janmaat got beyond his man through perseverance and wins a corner.

However Matt Ritchie's short corner comes to nothing.

Head. Banging. Wall. If you're a Newcastle fan anyway.

Definitely can't judge a player on one game but Grant Hanley, an experienced Championship player, is not having the sharpest debut so far for Newcastle.

A cross came in a moment ago and he was all tied up, rescued by a foul by Sone Aluko.

Newcastle haven't found their groove as a whole though, so can't point the finger at him.

Image source, Reuters

Matt Ritchie has moved to Newcastle's right side and gets a cross in but there's no blue and amber player near it.

Fulham look solid, Newcastle enjoying early possession here.

Simon Hooper toots sharply on his whistle and we're back under way.

Fulham get the ball forward quickly, Newcastle likewise, and we're back to the 100 mph special.

Newcastle players back out first before Fulham join them.

We're ready to go.