Fulham hosted Newcastle United looking to end their run of seven games without a win in the Premier League.
Newcastle arrived without a win away all season and their run wasn't helped when Fulham took the lead in the 19th minute through a deflected Steven Sidwell strike.
The Magpies improved after the break and equalised through a Haten Ben Arfa effort from outside the box, however a Hugo Rodallega header gave Fulham all three points.
Read how the action unfolded below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's text coverage of Fulham vs. Newcastle United at Craven Cottage.
We're set up for an interesting clash tonight between two struggling sides. Newcastle have not been able to hit last season's heights at all while Fulham have plummeted from a good start and are currently bottom of the form table.
Fulham's usual solid home form has deserted them in recent games. Since the fortunate 2-2 draw against Everton, the Whites have lost both games - 3-1 to Sunderland, which was where Hangeland received his costly red card, and 3-0 last weekend to Tottenham Hotspur.
Newcastle aren't faring much better. Had they not beaten Wigan last Monday they would be below Fulham on form. Before that at home they lost to West Ham United and Swansea, but it is their away form that is the real concern - consecutive defeats to Southampton and Stoke City precede tonight.
While it's too early to say these two have been dragged quietly into the relegation battle, they both certainly need to start winning sooner rather than later. Both teams will be looking at tonight as winnable.
As I touched on, Fulham's creativity has taken a real hit since Bryan Ruiz picked up an injury against Sunderland. They have failed to score in both games since, with Dimitar Berbatov forced into a deeper role where he is less effective - he really needs to be causing damage in the box. Can Martin Jol find a solution until the Costa Rican returns in three to four weeks' time?
The team news is in, I'll get to it now.
First up, the visitors. Newcastle XI: Krul; Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Santon; Anita, Tiote, Ben Arfa, Gutierrez; Cisse, Ba
Demba Ba does indeed make his 50th Premier League appearance. In his previous 49 he has hit the net 26 times. A quite fantastic achievement, it has to be said.
Otherwise it's largely as expected from Alan Pardew. Hatem Ben Arfa might have missed out but has been deemed fit to start and it's a combative central midfield of Vurnon Anita and Cheick Tiote.
Now the Fulham XI: Schwarzer; Riether, Hughes, Hangeland, Riise; Duff, Sidwell, Baird, Kacaniklic; Berbatov, Rodallega
As expected, Hangeland replaces Philippe Senderos at the heart of the defence and will take the armband back off Berbatov. It looks as though Berbatov will again have to play as the creative, deeper forward as Hugo Rodallega has been named to start up front.
Alex Kacaniklic is back and takes Kerim Frei's place on the left, who does not even make the bench. Rodallega has been played there too recently but the former Wigan man is somewhat wasted out wide. Chris Baird has, perhaps surprisingly, been preferred over Mahamadou Diarra, who is on the bench.
Jol does like to mix it up, as Damien Duff displaces Ashkan Dejagah on the right who has worked himself into the team recently. But not tonight. He'll also have to settle for a spot on the bench.
The full team news courtesy of Liam Apicella can be found here.
Last season this fixture was quite memorable. There were seven goals scored in a 5-2 win for Fulham, which included a hat-trick from now-departed Clint Dempsey - three of his 17 for the season.
The hosts, having failed to score in their last three games, are on their longest run without a goal in the Premier League. A quite surprising statistic for the team that just a couple of months ago was labelled as one of the most exciting in the league.
Newcastle have only won one of their last nine matches in London - 2-0 against Chelsea this year - and have lost four of the last five.
There was a message of support earlier for the home team from their missing-in-action Costa Rica Ruiz: "On my way to #CravenCottage with an especial guest... #MissingBeingOnTheField but #COYWs". I haven't a clue who the guest is - the Whites are hoping not anyone from today's starting XI to join him watching the game I'm sure.
There are a number of key battles tonight that could decide the outcome of this game. I'll run through mine.
Ba vs. Hangeland: How much joy the prolific front man gets will be vital to Newcastle's chances of success. He'll probably try to latch on to Aaron Hughes to win headers, but if Hangeland has his say - and it hasn't been the best of seasons so far for the Norwegian - he certainly has the ability to keep Ba quiet. That's far easier said than done, of course.
Berbatov vs. Anita: Although it looks to be a 4-4-2 from Jol, the Bulgarian tends to naturally drop deep without Ruiz to create, so he could find himself regularly up against Anita. How the Dutchman deals with the threat of Berbatov could decide if Tiote can get into the game or if he will have to help out Anita. Keeping Berbatov quiet is the main thing for Newcastle tonight, in my opinion.
I'm also intrigued to see how Duff performs against his old club. He didn't always have the best of times at Newcastle, but is still a key member of the Fulham side. If Davide Santon can stop him cutting in on his left foot then Duff could be kept quiet. That said, the Irishman has an underrated right foot too.
Those looking for a pre-match flutter: Fulham can be had at a shade better than evens, and 27/10 is the current best bet for an away win. Draw? Well that's around 5/2.
Thought I'd best mention the odds before I make my prediction, or I'll have a lynch mob after me when I'm clearly wrong. I fancy Fulham to win 2-1. Just five minutes to go until kickoff.
Ben Arfa returning for the Magpies is big. Fulham's defence has been far from tight so far and he's just the sort of player who can unlock a nervous back line.
It's a freezing cold night, so here's hoping the football is exciting enough to warm the cockles.
Pre-match rituals all done, and it'll be Fulham to kick off in a moment.
We're underway!
Fulham attack straight away as Duff swings in an early cross but Newcastle are able to defend.
Kacaniklic is played through by Duff and Coloccini defends clumsily but effectively enough. Early joy for the Fulham wide men.
Striker's tackle early on from Berbatov on Ben Arfa. He just got frustrated that the Frenchman got by him. Schwarzer comes for the free kick but gets nowhere near it and it eventually goes out for a goal-kick after a Simpson cross.
Really wasteful pass from Rodallega there. He had Berbatov left and Sidwell in much more space to the right. He opted for the Bulgarian and he's crowded out.
Now Newcastle pass around nicely until Sidwell breaks it up very well as they move into the final third.
Corner for Fulham as Duff's right-footed cross is deflected behind by Gutierrez.
Baird meets it at the near-post but there wasn't enough on it to trouble Newcastle and they clear. Fulham look to come forward again.
Good pressing from Fulham forces Simpson to go long and Fulham get the ball back via Schwarzer.
What Newcastle did really well against Wigan was press. Here, they have a lower tempo and are looking to play on the break it seems.
Sascha Riether goes too early and too deep with a cross and Tim Krul claims easily.
Ben Arfa looks to run for the first time but Baird and Sidwell again press well and crowd him out.
Berbatov controls superbly and finds Duff, but his cross is blocked and Newcastle break. Then a foul gives them a free kick. Fulham most threatening so far.
It's Papiss Cisse on the right and Ben Arfa on the left behind Ba tonight. Cisse looks a little lost so far, and Ben Arfa hasn't been at his most effective. Still early though of course.
Riether's crossing not too good so far, although he's getting into a few decent positions. Kacaniklic wins a corner on the left against Simpson.
The corner is fair drilled in by Baird but it seems to deceive everyone, even Fulham. Ben Arfa looks to get Newcastle away with a superb long pass, but Anita eventually sqaunders the chance with a shot that goes well wide.
Chance for Newcastle! Terrible kick from Schwarzer gives it to Cisse but the goalkeeper recovers superbly to claim the cross at the feet of Ba.
Baird tries a trademark shot from distance. It's going wide and Rodallega might have had a chance if he had reacted a fraction earlier. Not much of a chance though, in fairness.
Neat passing from Fulham but equally neat pressing from Newcastle force the Whites back to Schwarzer.
Chance for Fulham! Superb opening for Rodallega but he puts it over! Baird finds Duff with a diagonal ball and he crosses to the Honduran, who has time to chest it down but then volleys over.
GOAL! Fulham 1-0 Newcastle (Sidwell)
It's great play down the right again from Fulham. Riether passes to Duff in the box who cuts back to Sidwell. His shot was on target but is deflected past Krul.
What a chance Fulham! Tiote is pipped by Berbatov who is clean through after nutmegging Coloccini. Krul stands tall and Berbatov waits for him to go to ground - he doesn't and the shot is saved. That really should be 2-0!
Berbatov is running the show now from a deep position. He's wide left there and flicks over Cisse before Kacaniklic wins a free-kick.
Cisse looks to cross to Ba but Hangeland gets it away.
Fulham's passing has just gone off the boil the last few moments, Riise and Duff both giving the ball away in quick succession.
Santon shoots from way out, and it takes a deflection before being easily gathered by Schwarzer.
Superb from Fulham. Hangeland finds Rodallega, who clips to Berbatov and he finds Sidwell. Kacaniklic runs down the left and is found but can only win the corner.
Hangeland tries a nutmeg on Simpson, who eventually recovers to clear.
Decent bit of passing from Newcastle there, before Gutierrez's cross is long and out of play.
Newcastle's front three are switching around. In fact it's a front two now, with Gutierrez left and Ben Arfa right.
So close Fulham! Riether steams forward to cross and it comes to Berbatov after pinging about in the box. There are three players including Krul to block it and they just manage to.
Superb defending twice from Hangeland, again from poor Schwarzer distribution. Hangeland heads away then out for a corner.
Off the line! Coloccini lashes a header from fully 15 yards and it's arrowing into the corner but Riether - who has been superb - heads off the line. Then Ben Arfa almost kicks it out of Craven Cottage with a volley.
Schwarzer this time kicks it out of play. His kicking is the only thing that has been poor from Fulham tonight.
Newcastle enjoying their best spell of the game now. However, Baird eventually wins it back and Fulham have a free-kick in the middle.
Very strange from Berbatov there as he tries to flick with his heel from the free-kick but it sets up a chance for the visitors - Ben Arfa's pass for Cisse is too strong, however.
Fulham struggling to find their own players now with their passing. The change of formation is working for Pardew.
Baird and Sidwell doing well now to harry Newcastle and they draw a foul from Ben Arfa, who brings down Rodallega.
Chance for Fulham! Fulham use the width well and Riise, who found himself in space, goes for goal from distance but it's over and he still waits for his first Fulham goal.
Again Hangeland heads away - he's not leaving anything to Schwarzer! That's the second time he's ignored a call from behind. It's working so far, though.
Sidwell too eager that time against Tiote and catches him from behind. He's been stopping the Newcastle midfield play so far.
Newcastle finishing the half better. This time Ba tries to sneak through but overhits his touch.
Chance for Newcastle! Gutierrez is found superbly by Coloccini, but the former's shot from outside the box is deflected wide for a corner. Newcastle continue to cross but Fulham remain solid. Another corner off Sidwell.
Chance for Newcastle! Schwarzer comes to punch but gets nothing on it. It falls to Ba who turns to shoot and once more Riether blocks on the line!
One minute added on. Newcastle continuing to get a lot of joy in the middle now with their rejigged lineup.
Fulham 1-0 Newcastle
Fulham have just about edged that, but there have been real chances at either end. Sidwell's deflected goal is all there is in it, but Berbatov should have made it 2-0 before the visitors rallied and forced two goalline clearances from the excellent Riether.
There's certainly been enough to suggest that we'll see more goals in this. Fulham have threatened through Duff and Riether down the right - with not so much joy on the left - and Newcastle have threatened mainly from corners. Hangeland has been imperious so far, but the weakness is Schwarzer's kicking and rash decisions to come for the ball.
Berbatov squandered a glorious chance, which was mainly down to excellent goalkeeping, before having another effort blocked by a wall of bodies on the line.
Newcastle's chances were limited to two proper ones - both from corners. First, Coloccini thumped a header from just inside the box after a late run which was destined for the top corner before Riether got up to head away. The second came from a Schwarzer flap that fell to Ba, with Riether again clearing off the line - there were more Fulham defenders lining up for that one, though.
For a summary of the action in the opening 45, read our half-time report here.
The players are coming back out. The team talks have been made. Jol's will surely be along the "keep it up" lines, while Pardew's would have been aimed at the attack, I'm sure.
Newcastle get us back underway. No changes at the break, it looks like.
It's said all the time, but at 1-0 the next goal is crucial, and I can see whoever gets it going on to win the game. Scrappy opening to the second half from both teams.
Chance for Newcastle! Cisse found onside on the right, he cuts back to Anita - it was a difficult chance but he strikes over.
Rodallega working hard early on in this half, as he did for much of the first. Duff getting abuse from the away section - a bit harsh I'd say. Corner for Fulham won by Kacaniklic, who still cannot beat Simpson with his crosses.
Newcastle still look set up to counter. Much of the possession in these last five minutes has come from the Whites.
Chance for Fulham! Oh it's almost delicious from Berbatov! Rodallega controls well and finds the Bulgarian - his first touch is sublime but he's wide left and shoot with the outside of his right into the side-netting.
Kacaniklic miscontrols and takes it out of play after Riise does well to block a Simpson cross. He tries again but it goes all the way through. Newcastle probing for an opening but Hangeland is equal to all the crosses so far.
Riise hoofs clear to end a spell of sustained Newcastle pressure. It's been 69% possession from the visitors in the last five minutes.
GOAL! Fulham 1-1 Newcastle (Ben Arfa)
It's a goal from nothing really. Ben Arfa shoots from the angle of the box - there's a slight deflection but Schwarzer is horribly positioned and it goes in. I think he expected the cross. Really bad goalkeeping.
Newcastle dominating now. How will Fulham's previously shaky defence stand up to this?
Schwarzer this time gets a bit more on the corner, but still Newcastle come forward. A sense of desperation at the back for Fulham now.
Cisse wins a header against Hughes to find Ba, who shoots from some way out. It's low and comfortable for Schwarzer, though.
Now the Newcastle pressing game is in full swing. Fulham finding it hard to get any possession at all.
Rare foray forward for the hosts as Baird picks out Rodallega who passes left to Riise. His cross is easily dealt with by Williamson.
Chance for Fulham! Riise gets into space down the left, clips across for Rodallega to chest down to Kacaniklic. His right-footed effort is skied, however, from a decent edge of the box position.
Chance for Fulham! Berbatov is found by Rodallega in space and waits for the run of Sidwell. He plays it through but Krul saves well down low. A really good chance. Substitution for Fulham as Kacaniklic - who hasn't played well - comes off for Ashkan Dejagah.
GOAL! Fulham 2-1 (Rodallega)
Wicked ball in from Duff as Dejagah is brought down immediately and Rodallega thumps home a header. Duff goes straight to the away fans to celebrate.
Fulham have been second-best in this half but they find themselves back in front. Immediate response from Jol's substitute as he skinned Coloccini to win the free kick.
Rodallega picks up a poor pass and runs at the defence - he goes down and Berbatov takes over and also goes down. Nothing doing. Just before that there was nervy defending from the hosts but they just managed to clear a series of crosses.
Cisse hits the post but is given offside anyway. He'll be relieved at that, but it was the correct call.
Still Newcastle looking the stronger side. Ben Arfa is causing real trouble in his free role behind the strikers.
Rodallega does superbly wide on the right to create space on the left. Sidwell lobs into the box for Berbatov but for once his touch lets him down and cannot get a shot away.
It has to be said Rodallega has been superb tonight and deserves his goal. Substitution for Newcastle as Ben Arfa comes off for Shola Ameobi. Fulham will be relieved at that.
Coloccini hits the post! From the corner of the box Coloccini loops it towards the top corner, but it hits the post! So close.
Chance for Fulham! The game is really stretched now and Rodallega has another chance as he works himself clear. His shot is low, but weak and Krul saves.
Berbatov slows down time there as he passes an air ball to Dejagah, who then wins the throw. However, Newcastle get it back and continue to threaten.
First thing Rodallega has done wrong all night there, as he mishits an angled ball to Dejagah out of play.
Wonderful touch from Dejagah who flicks with his heel to Berbatov inside Santon. Berbatov finds Sidwell but the difficult chance goes sky high.
Fulham need a third here to be safe because Newcastle are certainly not out of this. Hangeland mops up superbly then rounds Tiote to get the danger away.
Santon cuts inside but Riether reads it all the way. The ball from Sidwell is played over to Rodallega who chests down superbly. He slightly underhits to Berbatov, however, and Williamson gets it away.
Sidwell gives away a free kick on Gutierrez some 35 yards out. Slightly sloppy from the midfielder but the referee still hasn't gone to his pocket tonight. Ba looks like he'll hit this.
Santon does instead and hits it straight at the foot of the wall. Fulham still pressing forward on the break but the chance is gone as Rodallega takes a heavy touch.
Dejagah gets a chance to run and has Rodallega left and Berbatov right. He overhits to the man on his left, however, and a really good chance is gone.
Dejagah then miscontrols from another Fulham break. Riether cuts it back but his first touch is poor with the goal gaping.
Newcastle now with some good possession. Ameobi gets a chance from outside the box on his left and strikes on target, but it's low and comfortable for Schwarzer.
Chance for Newcastle! Good save this time from Schwarzer, as he gets down low and quickly to a decent Ba strike on his left foot.
Almost identical save from Schwarzer from Gutierrez there, but the shot was from further out and less powerful. Fulham looking edgy now with six minutes left.
Santon, who is coming into this now, crosses with his right foot, but no-one attacks it and Schwarzer can gather.
Sidwell cynically blocked by Coloccini and still no yellow card. Double substitution for Newcastle - Anita is off for Marveaux and Bigirimana comes on for Tiote. Also one for Fulham as Petric replaces Rodallega.
Chance for Fulham! Good effort from outside the box from Berbatov with the outside of his foot. It's well struck and Krul is down to parry before gathering at the second attempt.
Chance for Newcastle! Ba finds himself in space in the box from Cisse's pass, but his touch takes him wide and Hughes can block the shot. A better touch and he was in!
So close Petric! Great strike from Petric from the edge of the box beats Krul but clips the top of the bar.
Huge header from Hughes who beats Cisse and Ba to Bigirimana's cross from deep.
Four minutes of time to be added on.
Berbatov drives through to find Dejagah, but after his pass to Riether the German overhits a pass and Newcastle come away. Gutierrez fizzes in a marvellous cross but no-one attacks it!
Unnecessary foul by Dejagah on Gutierrez and Newcastle have a free kick, but it comes to nothing.
Schwarzer gathers Krul's long ball, before finding Berbatov and he plucks it out of the air like it was on the ground. Fulham go to the corner inside the last minute, can they hang on?
Fulham 2-1 Newcastle!
Schwarzer claims a Coloccini cross under his own bar and the whistle goes! Fulham win for the first time in eight and Newcastle lose again away from home.
That's all from me tonight. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to stick with us for all the latest news and more live commentary. Good night!
Written by
Matt Domm
Matt Domm
