Marco Silva explains why Newcastle United defeated Fulham 2-1 at St James’ Park | OneFootball

Marco Silva watched on as his Fulham side came under pressure from the first whistle at St James’ Park.

Newcastle United pressing high to try and get the early goal to set them on their way to a fourth win in five matches.

Nick Woltemade hit the left post, then Jacob Murphy hit the right one.

United eventually getting that opening goal they deserved, as Murphy did really well to catch last man Bassey in possession and his run to goal then saw a sweet shot nestle in the bottom corner.

If Murphy had then converted an easier chance when Gordon then sent him clear, then it could have sent Newcastle on their way to a comfortable victory.

Instead, it became a real battle and Fulham probably deserved to level on balance of play and chances when Lukic headed the equaliser 11 minutes after the break.

On the hour mark Eddie Howe made three changes from the bench and another two followed as the clock counted down.

Newcastle United dominated the play and then just when it looked like they wouldn’t get the winner, Leno could only parry Osula’s shot and Bruno followed up to win the game.

Having taken control again in the final period, Newcastle clearly deserved to win, even though Fulham had made it a tough contest in the middle period of the match.

Marco Silva not agreeing…

Marco Silva asked if Fulham had deserved a point rather than defeat to Newcastle United:

“Definitely.

“A difficult game, as you expect coming here to St James’ Park, the team full of motivation after the good win and the good game they played last Tuesday against Benfica, and the reality that we knew that always the beginning of the games here, they are always very tough.

“They try to start always on the front foot, pushing the crowd, and the crowd plays a big part always on the way they start games here. And we knew that we have to go through those moments in the best way possible, knowing that the reaction and the pressure is going to be huge in that moment on ourselves.

“They had a big chance with a wide free-kick very close to our box, one second ball that we should have reacted stronger to. Another good shot from the edge of the box.

“After the first 10-15 minutes, we started to settle our game. And we knew that if we settle our game, it’s going to be difficult for them. And we did it.

“You know that if you lose the ball, with Anthony Gordon, with Jacob Murphy and with a striker Nick Woltemade that is very strong receiving the ball and linking up with the midfielders. We knew all the situations but we started to play in a way that we should be proud of.

“I told our players that these type of games, we have to be very strong collectively, and I didn’t see any difference between both sides. I think in many moments of the game, from a collective point of view, we were stronger.

“The way we dominated the game, the way we were able to play in their offensive half.

“But football matches are about individual decisions as well. We have to do the basic things well, and we were punished by two moments.

“We have to give credit to the opposition side, but when you give away two goals like we gave, it’s difficult to talk about credit and not blame ourselves. That is the thing, simple.

“The first goal, our central defender has the ball without pressure at all. We have to circulate the ball from one side to the other, and of course, attract the pressure. We tried to go against the pressure, not a normal thing in the way we prepared ourselves, and we are punished by that.

“The reaction of the team was very good.

Coming for the end of the first half, we were feeling that we had a chance with Raul, a good chance with Emile as well. Good corner where Raul was alone to equalise the game.

“And the reaction in the second half went in the same direction. We scored a good goal, again under our identity, our principles, switching very well the game from one side to the other, the right bodies inside the box. And we did it very well, very good goal from us.

“And after the game restarted, both teams were trying to win the game. They matched us, we matched them. They started to take more risks as well. They pressed us high, they put a lot of energy in the attack line.

“They were able to change all three players in their attack line. They were able to put a player like Sandro Tonali in the middle of the park too.

“It’s their reality.

“Our reality right now is that moment could be a moment for us with Rodrigo or with one of the two right wingers, to freshen up our frontline. We are not able to do it. We are not in conditions to do it right now.

“We tried to win, to go in a different direction with Alex on the right, with Josh King and Tom Cairney to freshen up a bit our middle line.

“They put us under pressure, but not with the big chances, apart from one header from Bruno, not massive chances for them.

“The game was more with them on the front foot but under control from us. And one mistake again, a mistake that we cannot do. And they punished us in a counter attack moment, when you have to do the basics well, and we didn’t.

“We have to face it. We have to improve, clearly. The collective feelings from ourselves is that we were good, but we want more. I don’t like to take positives when the things are so simple to do, and we we didn’t do so well, like this afternoon.”

Newcastle 2 Fulham 1 – Saturday 25 October 2025 3pm

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Murphy 18, Bruno 90

Fulham:

Lukic 56

Possession was Newcastle 51% Fulham 49%

Total shots were Newcastle 18 Fulham 12

Shots on target were Newcastle 7 Fulham 5

Corners were Newcastle 4 Fulham 3

Touches in the box Newcastle 36 Fulham 25

Pope, Trippier, Thiaw, Botman (Schar 61), Burn, Bruno, Joelinton, Miley (Tonali 61), Gordon (Elanga 76), Woltemade (Osula 86), Murphy (Barnes 61)

Subs:

Ramsdale, Krafth, Willock, Ramsey

(BBC Sport comments from ‘neutrals’ – Interesting on Newcastle United after 2-1 Fulham win – Read HERE)