Smith Rowe stars as Fulham hand Newcastle first loss of the season

Today at 12:23 PM

Newcastle could not take their chance. Three points would have maintained the unbeaten start to the season, taken them to the top of the table for the evening, raised their growing optimism. Instead they were made to rue a poor first-half display against a delightful Fulham frontline, goals from Raúl Jiménez, Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson securing a fine if not flawless victory.

They never found their rhythm even if they set up a game for the second half, Harvey Barnes's goal in the first minute after the restart making it 2-1 and setting up a tantalising passage. For the hosts, the worry was obvious: they had blown a lead last week against West Ham through a late Danny Ings equaliser; would this be more of the same? But they clung on through Nelson's goal in stoppage time, the substitute gifted an easy opportunity in the box after a wayward pass from Bruno Gumiarães.