Fulham edge past Magpies

Fulham 2 Newcastle 1

Second half goals by Fulham strikers Heidar Helguson and Brian McBride put the Cottagers back on the winning track with a Barclays Premiership double over Newcastle.

The London side scored two late goals to snatch victory at St James’ Park in September but left nothing to chance with a splendid display after the break even though it took a Nicky Butt blunder to hand Helguson the opening goal on 49 minutes.

Substitute Papa Bouba Diop, who has not figured for Fulham since December 9, came on to set up the second and 11th of the season for McBride and Newcastle’s American debutant Oguchi Onyewu was lucky not to be sent off for hauling back Helguson.

Obafemi Martins’ goal for Newcastle was just a stoppage-time consolation.