We really have no need to talk about this loss, so we won’t, but until the dust settles, here’s Cam’s account of a crazy ninety minutes in the northeast.
In our last two encounters, Marco Silva’s Fulham played some of the most seductive football we have ever seen, and one anticipated loss to Newcastle United won’t change that. Despite having important team members in the pits, Eddie Howe’s team has suffered greatly from injuries, so they shouldn’t be taken lightly. Even in depletion, there’s never a suitable time to confront someone at their location, so even though we’ll discuss what happened on Saturday, we shouldn’t allow this outcome ruin what is sure to be an incredible holiday season.
We have a mouthwatering Carabao Cup quarterfinal at Goodison Park to look forward to, followed on the 23rd by Burnley, an early Christmas treat that will undoubtedly have us swaying around the Cottage. A celebratory Boxing Day bash in Bournemouth? Then, bloody well done, son. This post will describe the major mistakes that we (as well as others) made, but will I cry into my mince pie? Forget about that!
Let’s face it: with 21 points, we are currently 11th in the standings. We have already faced teams like Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton & Hove Albion, Aston Villa, Liverpool, and now Newcastle, and we are still standing, bitches.
Dust off the ultra-thick jumpers, smash a bottle of port down your throat because it’s being a flirtatious little shit, just do everything that’s necessary over the next week because when you put things in perspective, everything is fine and dandy in SW6 and that is all we’d wished for this time last year.
Positives
Our first-half efforts were in vain, we gave as good as we got and it eventually stood for nothing but I suppose there are a few factors that can be looked upon in a positive light, albeit a dimmed one. We combined excellently on the break with Tom Cairney and Alex Iwobi carrying possession with purpose, we fashioned decent scoring opportunities through Harry Wilson on the right but without a leading striker to pick out, our threats were futile. The odds were stacked up against us, although Toon didn’t have it all there own way for the game’s entirety, not in football terms, anyway.
As the game wore on we had to surrender possession to maintain our shape and one player that contributed superbly to our defensive work was Andreas Pereira. He didn’t shrink when the ball had to be won and his exploits epitomised the tremendous team spirit on show before half-time. We were fluent in flashes, defiant as Newcastle’s optimism increased, we survived a frantic first half with our dignity intact and I know I’m reaching here, but this defeat isn’t a major cause for concern because really, truthfully, we could all see it coming once the hosts held the advantage. Lick them wounds, draw a deep breath and punt this loss into the past.
Negatives
Raul’sred rear-end
I don’t think there’s ever been a red card quite like Raul Jimenez’s arse-to-face poleaxe. Evidently, Jimenez wanted instant revenge for being elbowed by Jamaal Lascelles and he certainly left his mark, or skids, on Sean Longstaff’s kisser. I can’t quite decipher whether it was an act of sheer stupidity or a genuine mistake, either way, Raul divebombed into his victim with force, he tried to pull out mid-air but it was far too late for abortive manoeuvrers and once the footage had been slowed down, the Mexican’s collision with Longstaff appeared to be so much worse than what it actually was.
In any case, while I know it won’t sit well with everyone, in my opinion, that isn’t a dismissal, and if the jerseys had been switched, it wouldn’t have even been considered reckless misconduct or foul play. Although I can understand that Jimenez’s head injury wasn’t warranted, you cannot claim that it was done maliciously or carelessly. In all honesty, I think he misinterpreted the circumstances, but what can I say? I’m not a paid match official, sorry *cough*.
As it happened, I stand by the opinion that Raul was attempting to charge down a long ball that never materialised, and the game is played at such a pace that momentum can and will carry a player further than they’d have bargained for. That’s how I saw it, I’m not condoning Jimenez’s sudden surge of blood but it was definitely spin doctored by Stockley Park and as we’ll debate shortly, Sam Barrott was automatically obliged to swap yellow for red because nowadays, on-field referees cannot think for themselves.
Inevitable defensive submission
Fulham’s destiny was sealed in the 21st minute at St. James’ Park against a Toon squad who had a point to prove after being eliminated from the Champions League, and honestly, who could blame them? A team can only withstand so much stress and strain before losing the will to fight, therefore the Whites’ defensive capitulation was unavoidable. After the half, the opposition was at its lowest point. After fighting valiantly for 45 minutes to thwart Newcastle’s assaults, we had lost all hope and faith in the hosts as they increased their energy.
We’d been resolute in our last two outings, in fairness, we’d barely been troubled by Nottingham Forest or West Ham but being a man down away from home, our initial game plan was rubbished early on and we had to adopt a low block, we had no other alternative and it was a recipe for distress. With an extra body up top, we would’ve been better balanced but as we couldn’t lump it up field to an attacker capable of holding it up, our progressive relevance lessened and we could do nothing more than camp in our own half as the Magpies gained territory and impetus.
Newcastle’s tails were up, with everyone behind the ball we banked ourselves against their relentless press but their first of the afternoon wasn’t pretty from a defensive perspective, at all. Bruno Guimarães bundled through bodies, nobody stuck a firm challenge in and it fell to the feet of a 17-year-old Lewis Miley, who became Newcastle’s youngest PL goal scorer since James Milner in 2004. Of course that was always going to be the case.
Their second goal was a hilarious mix-up caused by a misunderstanding between Bernd Leno and Antonee Robinson. Miguel Almiron scored the goal from a distance. The Magpies’ intent on causing us more suffering shook us, made it impossible for us to regroup, and made their third attack inevitable even though there was no way we could force our way back into the situation. Even Tosin couldn’t stop Dan Burn at the back stick, and despite Leno’s excellent first save, we were unable to stop it from being shifted in.
Berating Barrott’s bias
Silva summed up Barrott’s afternoon in his post-match autopsy, and the coach’s assessment was unequivocally brutally correct. Fulham players were carded if Newcastle players dropped like flies. Barrott didn’t even blink if our boys were cynically scythed down. Officials at stadiums like St. James’ must maintain a level playing field, overcome the growl of fat, topless Geordies, and make decisions with a strong enough will. That wasn’t the truth on Saturday afternoon since the game was slanted considerably in the Magpies’ favour.
Bobby Decordova-Reid received a warning merely for being unable to outmuscle his opponent on the corner flag. Are central defenders hurling elbows at opponents while still making completely fair contact to protect the penalty area? Oh no, unless you have endless blood money vaults at your disposal and a reputation for killing people in the middle of the night, the PGMOL will not put up with it. I’ll give up now that I’m ahead. Marco wasn’t lying, despite the fact that his statement will likely get him in trouble. For the benefit of the referee, why should managers maintain their composure? Even while the establishment supports respect, poor and dishonest officiating is rarely looked into, and it’s unlikely that they ever will be.
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