Newcastle United

2.86

• 
  3

  1

  3.50

  Tim Krul

  Didn’t put a foot wrong all afternoon and although he wasn’t asked to do an awful lot when he was put under pressure, especially from crosses, he looked very comfortable.

• 
  2

  1

  3.00

  Danny Simpson

  Ran up and down the right-hand side well and used his pace to overlap Guthrie in attack. Also coped well defensively and is now looking like the defender that came through the ranks at Manchester United.

• 
  2

  1

  3.00

  Mike Williamson

  Couldn’t cope with Andy Johnson early on as his lack of pace was exposed, but grew into the game as it went on and prevented Dembele and Johnson from truly influencing the outcome of the game.

• 
  1

  0

  2.50

  Fabricio Coloccini

  Needs to realise that defending doesn’t always have to be pretty. Was lucky not to get caught in possession inside his own box on a couple of occasions where he should have just got the ball clear. Other than those over-complications the defender put in a few good tackles on Dembele and Johnson and his partnership with Williamson is getting stronger.

• 
  2

  1

  3.00

  José Enrique

  ‘The Bull’ has come on leaps and bounds since the club were relegated and had another solid outing. His link up with Gutierrez is key to Newcastle’s success and unfortunately for the home side the two didn’t get forward as much as they would have liked.

• 
  0

  1

  2.50

  Danny Guthrie Flop of the Match

  Misplaced numerous passes and looks like he has lost a yard of pace. Can pick out the odd cross-field pass but he certainly isn’t a winger. Barton’s absence was sorely missed.

• 
  4

  0

  3.50

  Cheikh Tiote

  Newcastle’s holding midfielder dictated play well, linking up with both his defence and attack to great effect. Always looking to get the ball wide early so the wingers can get the ball in the box for Andy Carroll.

• 
  1

  0

  2.50

  Kevin Nolan

  One of his quietest games in a Newcastle shirt this season The free-scoring midfield struggled to get into the game in a more defensive role than he has been used to this season.

• 
  0

  0

  2.50

  Jonas Gutierrez

  The Argentinean’s final ball has always been criticised during his time at the club and today was a perfect example of why he frustrates Newcastle supporters so much. Carroll and Lovenkrands were in acres of space numerous times but his radar wasn’t on today.

• 
  2

  1

  3.00

  Andy Carroll

  The much talked about centre-forward didn’t have an awful lot of service and had to feed off long aerial balls throughout the match. The closest Newcastle’s No. 9 came to a goal was when he struck a sweet volley which was well saved by Schwarzer.

• 
  1

  0

  2.50

  Peter Lovenkrands

  Looked lively but was clear to see that the Danish striker hasn’t played many games this season as when he was given chances, most notably a free header midway through the second half, he looked nervy and snatched at the opportunities given to him.

Substitutions

• 
  0

  0

  0.00

  Wayne Routledge

  Didn't really have enough time to influence the game as he came on for the last 15 minutes. Did inject some much needed pace though.

• 
  0

  0

  0.00

  Nile Ranger

  Added some more aerial ability to Newcastle's frontline but couldn't find the winner.

Fulham

3.14

• 
  3

  0

  3.50

  Mark Schwarzer Top of the Match

  Arsene Wenger must wonder why he didn’t do everything in his power to sign this goalkeeper. Made a stunning save from Carroll in the second half and made himself big in the first half to keep out Lovenkrands’ point blank effort. A top drawer goalkeeper who seems to get better with age.

• 
  1

  0

  3.00

  Stephen Kelly

  Coped with the left sided pair of Gutierrez and Enrique very well putting in a solid performance on the right side of a very capable defence.

• 
  0

  0

  3.50

  Aaron Hughes

  Unlike Duff the ex-Newcastle man received a warm welcome from the Geordie faithful. Juggled the responsibility of handling Andy Carroll with fellow centre-back Brede Hangeland and was solid.

• 
  1

  0

  3.50

  Brede Hangeland

  The centre-back won almost every ball launched up to Carroll and Lovenkrands and also showed good feet when receiving the ball on the deck. A no-nonsense centre half who takes no prisoners.

• 
  1

  0

  3.00

  Damien Duff

  Was booed throughout by the fans of his former club playing in a more restrained left-back role. Looked good going forward and handled the lacklustre Guthrie very well. A disciplined performance from the Irishman.

• 
  0

  1

  3.00

  Clint Dempsey

  The American was lucky to not be punished by the referee for apparently leaning his head towards the face of Tiote after a tackle from the Newcastle man. Worked very hard but got little reward in a game of few attacking opportunities.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Danny Murphy

  The firey Scouser didn’t shy away from a challenge and was constantly in the ear of referee Lee Probert. Fulham’s captain lead his side by example and gave 100% for 90 minutes, getting up and down the pitch well, while also playing the ‘quarter-back’ role, spraying passes forward to Johnson and Dembele. Another steady showing from the former Liverpool man.

• 
  0

  0

  2.50

  Simon Davies

  Failed to get into the game as left-back Jose Enrique kept the Welsh winger quiet. Defended well but was invisible as an attacking outlet.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Zoltán Gera

  A quiet afternoon for the creative midfielder. In a game contested in midfield he faced some fierce tackles from Tiote and Nolan, but held his own before being replaced by Etuhu.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Andy Johnson

  Showed a good turn of pace despite his lengthy absence through injury. Played on the shoulder of the last defender and was caught offside far too many times. His partnership with Dembele should excite Fulham fans and will be a threat in the Premier League.

• 
  0

  0

  3.50

  Moussa Dembele

  The tricky striker dropped deep to leave space for Andy Johnson in attack. Brings an air of calm to the Fulham side and can beat defenders with ease. By far Fulham’s most dangerous player and nearly capped his performance with a goal when he crashed a volley against the crossbar in the second half.

Substitutions

• 
  0

  0

  0.00

  Dickson Etuhu

  Added some steel to the midfield and almost scored with his first touch but mistimed his jump when he was free in the area.

• 
  0

  1

  0.00

  Eddie Johnson

  Didn't have enough time to impose himself on the game.