Fulham earned their first win in eight Premier League matches and inflicted more away misery on Newcastle United with a 2-1 victory at Craven Cottage this evening.
© PA Photos
Hugo Rodallega's second goal since arriving from Wigan Athletic was enough to separate the sides in a contest which was packed with goalscoring chances.
Early on, Dimitar Berbatov was superbly denied when Tim Krul used all of his 6ft 5in frame to block his powerful 15-yard strike.
Moments later, the mercurial Bulgarian had his acrobatic effort diverted off the line by the stretching boot of Danny Simpson.
© PA Photos
At the other end, Steve Sidwell had a stroke of fortune in ending Fulham's five-hour goalless run as his strike took a deflection off Mike Williamson before beating Tim Krul.
The hosts twice made goalline clearances of their own as Sascha Reither headed away from underneath his crossbar to foil both Fabricio Coloccini and Demba Ba.
© PA Photos
After the interval, Hatem Ben Arfa levelled with a typically individual effort on his return to the Magpies side, spinning away from John Arne Riise before bending a 20-yard shot past Mark Schwarzer.
Damien Duff provided Sidwell with the opener, and then set up Rodallega's header with a precise free kick to claim his second assist - the same amount he achieved in 68 Newcastle appearances.
In their attempt to find an equaliser, Ba sent a shot straight at Schwarzer, and when Coloccini's brilliant turn and shot had the Fulham stopper beaten, the ball cannoned back off the crossbar.
Alan Pardew introduced both Shola Ameobi and Sylvain Marveaux to increase Newcastle's attacking threat, but Fulham hung on to end their winless run and leave the visitors still without victory on the road this season.
Joe Fish
