Fulham save a point late on against struggling Newcastle

Sam Drury
BBC Sport journalist

Rodrigo Muniz scored his first goal since the opening day of last season as Fulham denied Newcastle and head coach Matthias Jaissle a much-needed win at Craven Cottage.

Jacob Murphy looked to have scored a stunning winner 10 minutes from time as he pounced on a loose pass inside the Fulham half before cutting inside and curling a left-foot shot into the far corner from 25 yards.

But less than three minutes later, substitute Cesar Palacios' pass found its way to Muniz, who managed to stab the ball into the far corner.

Both sides had late chances to win the game but Fulham keeper Bernd Leno denied Lewis Hall before Newcastle's Lukas Hornicek made a flying stop to keep out Ryan Sessegnon's stinging effort in stoppage time.

The result means the visitors avoid a fifth defeat in six games to ease the pressure on Jaissle a fraction, but will feel it should have been three points having taken the lead late on.

Meanwhile, Fulham extend their unbeaten run to four Premier League matches.

Alvaro Arbeloa's side were the better team in the first half but struggled to create the chances to back that up, with Josh King, in his first appearance since earning a maiden England call-up, coming closest with a thumping 20-yard volley that Hornicek dived to push wide.

By weight of chances, Newcastle should have been in front with Leno twice keeping out Harvey Barnes, on the second occasion with his face after the winger had sprinted clear.

Dan Burn thought he had put the Magpies ahead from the resulting corner after turning in Murphy's cross.

However, much to Newcastle's frustration, the goal was ruled out for Yoane Wissa holding Timothy Castagne off the ball, preventing the Fulham full-back from moving out to potentially play Burn offside.

Barnes flashed another good chance wide just after the break before Sander Berge arrowed a shot inches past the post for Fulham.

Newcastle had the better of the second period but the game seemed destined to end goalless before Murphy's fine strike led to a lively conclusion.

Newcastle analysis: Improvement but missed opportunity

Matthias Jaissle post-match interview- Fulham v Newcastle

After starting the week with a disappointing home defeat by Everton, in which the St James' Park faithful were not shy in voicing their displeasure, this at least represented an improvement for Newcastle.

Even in a first half in which they found themselves under pressure for long spells, they limited Fulham to very few clear chances while creating good openings of their own.

Their frustration over Burn's disallowed goal was obvious, but what will also irk them on the journey back to the north east will be the chances they wasted.

Barnes was unfortunate with his first effort, well saved by Leno, but will feel he should have scored when one-on-one with the German later in the half, while he failed to test the keeper with his shot two minutes into the second period.

Even after Muniz had cancelled out Murphy's stunner, Newcastle really should have retaken the lead.

Hall did superbly to drive into the box and suddenly found himself 12 yards out with only Leno to beat, but the shot on his weaker right foot gave the goalkeeper a chance that he really should not have been given.

Perhaps it is symptomatic of how things are going for Newcastle at the moment that even when there are positives to take, the overriding feeling at full-time is one of disappointment.

Fulham analysis: Goalscorer found but familiar issue remains

Alvaro Arbeloa post-match interview- Fulham v Newcastle

Having battled back to earn a point - and nearly snatching all three at the death - Fulham fans can be pleased with their side's resilience.

Four games unbeaten in the league, including two wins, is another reason to be optimistic - but while their problems in front of goal persist, they will know there is a limit to what can be achieved this season.

They played some lovely football in the first half. The passing was short, sharp and incisive - right up until they reached the Newcastle penalty area.

Between the 15th and 30th minutes, they had 75% possession but just one shot - blocked - to show for it.

The lack of a reliable goalscorer is a significant problem and they will hope Muniz, having ended his lengthy goal drought, can offer that, even if his chances are likely to come from the bench.

Summer recruit Gonzalo Garcia continues to be preferred by Arbeloa but, willing as he is, the Spaniard is in desperate need of a goal.

With the trio of King, Oscar Bobb and Alex Iwobi buzzing around in the final third, Fulham get themselves into the box regularly without that necessarily turning into a host of chances.

A striker they are confident will put away the chances that do come then would make all the difference.

Player of the match

L. Horníček
7.14
9 Rodrigo Muniz
6.22
24 J. King
6.15
1 B. Leno
6.12
14 O. Bobb
6.10
19 S. Charles
6.08
3 C. Bassey
6.05
17 A. Iwobi
5.85
30 R. Sessegnon
5.83
22 D. Affengruber
5.73
16 S. Berge
5.68
33 A. Robinson
5.63
21 T. Castagne
5.63
2 K. Tete
5.51
8 César Palacios
5.45
7 Gonzalo García
5.44
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