Intriguing to read through these BBC Sport comments, following on from Newcastle United’s excellent three points on Saturday at Craven Cottage.
The comments from neutrals especially telling…
A lot of it different to what Newcastle United fans had come to expect from the BBC Sport ‘neutrals’.
The BBC Sport comments from neutrals in the past had been overwhelmingly a catalogue of abuse aimed at NUFC supporters.
Particularly stuff about the Newcastle United owners and the media inspired pile-ons that NUFC fans have become used to, when blamed for who now owns their club.
On this occasion though, the politics almost totally absent.
Instead, pretty much just about the actual football and the referee and VAR…
A lot to debate in this game.
The BBC Sport readers comments from neutrals, Fulham fans and the odd Newcastle supporter also contributing:
‘Absolutely fantastic result, keeping us in the hunt. And that’s all down to the coach, getting the absolute most out of very depleted resources.
I am more convinced than ever that all those people who week after week post nonsense about Howe being sacked or his time being up are just desperate to separate our very capable team from their very capable coach.’
‘Couldn’t agree with you more. And it’s usually the London-based clubs doing it.’
‘He’ll be gone in the summer for sure.’
‘6th this season with the challenges ahead of him would be better than fourth last. Incredible work by Eddie and his support team.’
‘Eddy tried his best to lost that game, luckly for us it didnt work.’
‘Not sure if you’re referring to Howe sacked or Guimaraes sold?
This narrative of NUFC being a “lesser” club so coach will be sacked or star players sold immediately was the Mike Ashley model but the club has more ambition now, (cue blood money/sportswashing rhetoric despite the fact that fans have zero say in who owns their club and billionaires exist only because of some form of exploitation).’
‘The Newcastle win was definitely down to the coach, the Fulham coach who sabotaged Fulham’s chances with the terrible triple-sub. I mean, what do you expect will happen when you’re in total control, if you take off your three most creative players in one hit? Fulham lost all control and Newcastle seized their chance.’
‘Depleted resources? And this is the highest rated comment. A few injuries in a very expensively assembled squad. And we don’t need to stress what is funding this “depleted” squad.’
‘”A few” injuries?
Maybe there have been season where we have had more players injured. And maybe we have had players with injuries that lasted longer.
But never in Newcastle’s history have they had so many first team players out for such long periods of time over the course of one single season.
I would be very surprised if other clubs have anything approaching that in their whole history.’
‘Newcastle is in the same position Arsenal were last season, Eddie will come out stronger come next season, they had a lot to learn this season, balancing different competitions can be so tasking especially with the FFP rules involved in play!’
‘Eddie Howe has shown his mettle when things are going well and he’s shown his mettle when things are going tough.
Absolutely the right man for the job. The ONLY man for the job.’
‘Big win, and very well done on an away win. Please beat Tottenham next week, so the top-5 is truly chaotic. Also? Please knock Man United out of 6th. They don’t deserve Europe, let alone Europa League.’
‘The xG table has man u in 15th and NUFC in 4th. Man Utd riding their luck all season. Hopefully that luck runs out!’
‘I’m not a Newcastle fan ( no offence intended) but Eddie is doing an awesome job, would favour him for the England job to be fair.’
‘VAR is killing the game – no matter what team you support.’
‘Newcastle WAY more solid with Burn as a centre half I had forgotten how good he actually is in his proper position. Awful first half. Decent 2nd but good teams win when they are not playing well.’
‘I’m pleased Eddie picks the team rather than those who claim to be supporters, get behind them , Longstaff puts a shift in every game, Eddie knows this that’s why he is in the team.’
‘Group of Sunderland fans constantly down vote him ,I read about it on a Sunderland forum, quite sad really !’
‘Clearly the impromptu team talk made a difference.
Eddie Howe is one hell of a coach!’
‘My Geordie friends will be excited and celebrate tonight. I wish I could be with you all for the fun well done and more wins for you I hope.’
‘I’m a FFC fan of 40+ years, & live in the USA these days & only see a couple of games a season, so maybe this is unfair but feel that despite the (sometimes) pretty football the core problem of this team is that it is fundamentally gutless, the difference between a poor (due to injuries) Newcastle & us was that they cared about the result . Unless this changes we are relegation fodder next year.’
‘Well sad. Just what I was thinking. Carry on like this and the club will have difficulty in filling the new stand.’
‘Newcastle United, the only club with injuries this season.’
‘I support the lot down the road but I love all the regions clubs and want to give credit where credit is due, sounds like from the radio commentary the first half did not go well, but you rode the storm brought Harvey on and Bruno got you a winner, I never bought into all the tribalist sh.t I like football the colour of the shirt doesnt matter, keep your Manager, you are doing everything right.’
‘VAR yet again not fit for purpose. Another ref..Gillett..who is rubbish and utterly clueless on and on this occasion off the field. Webb you gotta do something about your charges complete and utter lack of common sense. It looks like they get it from books and have never laced up boots in any football competitive match. Newcastle robbed..again..of a legitimate goal.’
‘Don’t understand any negativity I hear. Given depletion of squad, an away win to a not terrible team, chasing Europe with a handful of games of go? From being a fan for 30 years I am delighted with the team and Howe.’
‘Nufc had to battle in the first half though the only really good chance created was one for Isak. Eddie Howe changed the approach at half time and turned out easy for Newcastle. Bruno and Isak clearly gave indications they’re are not going anywhere and the var call to chalk schar’s goal off – embarrassment to officiating.’
‘The makems/trolls in general stand out a mile on here looking to get a rise, and often do. Try not to bite toon fans man, great result! Bring on Spurs! Well done the Heed aswell by the way.’
‘Howe could be the first English manager to win the EPL.
Give him a few years.’
‘VAR Helped out Fulham by denying Fabian Schär for Burn challenge on Bassey.’
‘Hall has slotted in nicely and another masterclass from Bruno.’
Stats via BBC Sport:
Fulham 0 Newcastle 1 – Saturday 6 April 3pm
Goals:
Newcastle United:
Bruno 81
Fulham:
(Half-time stats in brackets)
Possession was Fulham 67% (71%) Newcastle 33% (29%)
Total shots were Fulham 14 (10) Newcastle 12 (2)
Shots on target were Fulham 4 (3) Newcastle 5 (0)
Corners were Fulham 14 (6) Newcastle 3 (0)
Referee: Sam Allison
Newcastle team v Fulham:
Dubravka, Krafth, Schar, Burn, Hall (Dummett 90+5), Longstaff, Bruno, Willock (Anderson 40), Murphy (Barnes 65), Isak, Gordon (Ritchie 90+5)
Unused subs:
Karius, Gillespie, White, Diallo, A Murphy
(Bruno Guimaraes – Brilliant words after a brilliant match winning performance – Read HERE)
(Marco Silva embarrasses himself once again with Newcastle United comments – Read HERE)
(3 Positives and 3 Negatives to take from Fulham 0 Newcastle 1 – Read HERE)
(Fulham 0 Newcastle 1 – Instant Newcastle United fan / writer reaction – Read HERE)
(Fulham 0 Newcastle 1 – Absolutely class and committed second-half – Read HERE)
Newcastle United confirmed Premier League matches to mid-April 2024:
Saturday 13 April 2024 – Newcastle v Spurs (12.30pm) TNT Sports
Wednesday 24 April 2024 – Crystal Palace v Newcastle (8pm)
Saturday 27 April 2024 – Newcastle v Sheff Utd (3pm)
Saturday 4 May 2024 – Burnley v Newcastle
Newcastle United fixtures, including to be confirmed matches:
Saturday 11 May 2024 – Newcastle v Brighton
Sunday 19 May 2024 – Brentford v Newcastle (4pm)
***Man U v Newcastle waiting for rearranged date
Wednesday 22 May 2024 – Tottenham v Newcastle (at MCG – Melbourne Cricket Ground)
Friday 24 May 2024 – A-League All Stars team v Newcastle (at Marvel Stadium, Melbourne)