Krul clings to crumb of comfort

Goalkeeper Tim Krul was able to take the positives as Newcastle enjoyed a measure of relief from their bout of home sickness.

Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Fulham was at least an improvement on their 2-1 midweek defeat by Blackburn, their third in the Premier League at St James’ Park so far this season.

It is a measure of the almost surreal world in which Newcastle seem to operate that they will head for Bolton next weekend more confident of returning with a result than they are at home.

For the record, only eight of the 18 points the Magpies have collected to date have been won on Tyneside with victories at West Ham, Everton and Arsenal and a draw at Wolves, accounting for the rest.

In the circumstances, the stalemate against a Fulham side which has not won a league game on the road since the opening day of last season may not be a big deal, although Krul was philosophical.

He said: “Chris (Hughton) said he wanted a reaction from us after Wednesday, and I think we were better than Fulham, but sometimes you have to be happy with a draw.

“To be honest, we had our opportunities and we worked our socks off. We have to be happy with what we did.

“The form we are in, we showed again on Saturday we are capable of competing with any team, and I am looking forward to going to Bolton.”

After a bright start from Newcastle, the visitors gradually worked their way into the game and threatened as the half-hour mark approached, with Zoltan Gera and Clint Dempsey both forcing good saves from Krul.

However, opposite number Mark Schwarzer made a brave 37th-minute block from Peter Lovenkrands after Andy Carroll’s volley had hit unwitting team-mate Kevin Nolan on the line, and the newly-elevated England international drew a stunning save from the Australian with a 52nd-minute piledriver.

As time ticked on, however, Newcastle became increasingly edgy with memories of Jason Roberts’ late winner still cutting deep, and they might have suffered a similar fate had Moussa Dembele’s 70th-minute strike crept under the crossbar rather than crashing into it.

Fulham boss Mark Hughes was happy enough with a point despite seeing his side extend their winless away run to 25 league games.

He said: “We are frustrated by the draws, but we view it as progress on the road.

“It’s only a matter of time before we get three points on the road, I can see that in our play.”