Towering presencepublished at 20:46
HT: Fulham 1-0 Newcastle
Matt Smith's header was towering. On his tod though as the photo shows.
Summary
Fulham win first game of 2016-17 EFL season
Title favourites Newcastle beaten in opening match
Matt Smith headed Fulham winner before half-time
Towering presencepublished at 20:46
Splash the cash or a thrifty deal?published at 20:44
HT: Fulham 1-0 Newcastle
Not everyone has the financial muscle to sign a Ross McCormack or Matt Ritchie for tens of millions of pounds, so there's definitely a skill to picking up a gem for a snip.
Some signings of course cost nothing, such as Newcastle full-back Jesus Gamez, and BBC Sport has accumulated a XI of the best of them.
Check it out here.
Image source, Getty ImagesCould this EFL season be the best ever?published at 20:41
HT: Fulham 1-0 Newcastle
So, 45 minutes into the new campaign - there have been many changes in the Football League, with a new name, new managers and an influx of new players for 2016-17.
A near 10-month slog for promotion spots, play-off places and survival begins with tonight's Championship's opener between Fulham and relegated Newcastle.
So why does this season of the rebranded EFL promise to be one of the biggest and best ever?
Have a read of Phil Cartwright's feature to find out more.
Image source, Rex Features/PAget involved Get Involvedpublished at 20:39
#bbcefl
Scott Hunt: Having tipped Newcastle for total Championship domination, a Fulham opener was inevitable. You can thank me later, Fulham fans!
Who's going to impress?published at 20:39
#bbcefl
Earlier I asked who YOU thought would be among the high-fliers in 2016-17.
Keep sending us your thoughts using #bbcefl on Twitter.
HT: Fulham 1-0 Newcastlepublished at 20:38
Image source, ReutersA penny for Rafa's thoughts?
The man who has won the Champions League is now finding out just how tough the Championship is.
His side could, and should probably, have had a penalty. But that's gone now. The next 45 minutes will be a big test of character for his players.
Fulham lead at half-timepublished at 20:36 British Summer Time 5 August 2016
HT: Fulham 1-0 Newcastle
Jermaine Jenas
Former Newcastle midfielder on Radio 5 liveWe've seen possession in areas where Newcastle can't hurt Fulham, we haven't seen anything from their top players that they've brought in, but that's down to the way Fulham have played.
Rafael Benitez is walking in and he's not a happy man.
HALF-TIMEpublished at 20:33
Fulham 1-0 Newcastle
Image source, Rex FeaturesWelcome to the Championship, Newcastle.
Fulham laid out their high-tempo stall, Newcastle didn't adjust to the pace and having barely given the hosts a sniff, they conceded on the cusp of half-time.
Matt Smith's header, planted true into the Newcastle net, came from a set-piece that was not dealt with.
Wonder what kind of team-talk awaits?
Smith heads Fulham in frontpublished at 44 mins
Fulham 1-0 Newcastle
Jermaine Jenas
Former Newcastle midfielder on Radio 5 liveI said that if Fulham were to score today, crosses would be their route to goal. Matt Smith gets away from his marker, the ball is perfect and it's a fantastic header.
GOAL (Smith)published at 44 mins
Fulham 1-0 Newcastle
Image source, Rex FeaturesA thumping header from the big man Matt Smith gives Fulham the lead and highlights a bit of a frailty from set-pieces in the Newcastle defence.
Cheap corner to give away, daft goal to give away with two big lads at the back. Smith had all the space and time in the world.
Fulham 0-0 Newcastlepublished at 44 mins
Corner to Fulham after a ricochet off a Newcastle boot...
Fulham 0-0 Newcastlepublished at 42 mins
Isaac Hayden back to his feet, to the relief of 6,000 Newcastle fans.
Three minutes to go plus stoppages now.
Fulham 0-0 Newcastlepublished at 41 mins
Searing tester from Fulham's Sone Aluko has Matz Sels down to save but he fumbles, and Paul Dummett has to scramble to clear.
Best chance of the half really.
Now Isaac Hayden is down - that could be pivotal for Newcastle as he's been a bright note.
Should Newcastle have had a penalty?published at 39 mins
Fulham 0-0 Newcastle
Quote MessageThe more you see it, the worse it gets in terms of where his hand is. It's ridiculous.
Mick Lowes, BBC Newcastle
Fulham 0-0 Newcastlepublished at 38 mins
Dangerous free-kick swung in from the right by Tom Cairney but offside.
Newcastle free-kick.
Fulham 0-0 Newcastlepublished at 36 mins
Ayoze Perez's set-pieces have had the same impact as Harry Kane's for England at this summer's Euros. i.e. None.
Matz Sels came out to claim a teasing cross with some conviction a moment ago, that will give his defence and the Newcastle fans a bit of confidence.
Should Newcastle have had a penalty?published at 36 mins
Fulham 0-0 Newcastle
Jermaine Jenas
Former Newcastle midfielder on Radio 5 liveHis arm is up. I've seen them given. There was a lot of distance, and I don't see why his arm was so high.
Fulham 0-0 Newcastlepublished at 35 mins
It does make you wonder what kind of threat Fulham might have had tonight going forward with Ross McCormack... all ifs and buts naturally.
Newcastle's Matt Ritchie thinks his ball into the box was handled by Ryan Tunnicliffe but no go says the official.
Replays looked like he did... let off!
Jokanovic's side more than competingpublished at 33 mins
Fulham 0-0 Newcastle
Image source, ReutersPerhaps Slavisa Jokanovic has high hopes for Fulham and is not quite so impressed by the performance so far but his side have impressed in flashes.
Certainly not overawed by their big-bucks opponents.
Fulham 0-0 Newcastlepublished at 30 mins
The old saying - perspiration rather than inspiration - probably sums up this game so far as we get to the half-hour mark.
Lots of graft, not a lot of craft. To borrow another nicely rhyming phrase.
Got any more? #bbcefl is your channel.