Newcastle 0 Fulham 0

Fulham earned a battling point at St James Park this afternoon but in doing so extended that run of Premier League away games without a win to twenty-five.

Mark Hughes made a couple of changes to the side that had lost to Chelsea in midweek. Briggs and Etuhu moved to the bench and Andrew Johnson was given his first start since January.

Newcastle, cheered on by their vociferous support, got off to a good start with Jose Enrique skipping past Kelly and providing a decent chance for Lovenkrands but Aaron Hughes, back on his old stomping ground produced a great block.

Continuing to press forward, Simpson delivered a great ball into the box for Lovenkrands but Hughes, excelling, got to it first. Pushed back for the opening stages, Fulham started to get a foothold in the game.

Krul had to be very alert to thwart Dempsey, diving at his feet before turning away a drive from Gera and then tipping away another effort from Dempsey.

As half time approached Newcastle were back in the ascendancy, Carroll saw a shot blocked and then Lovenkrands saw Schwarzer produce a fine save to deny him.

All square at half time.

The second half saw much of the same fare as the first. Newcastle started well with Carroll finding Lovenkrands and Schwarzer and Hangeland combining to clear the danger.

Schwarzer, by now the busier of the two keepers, saved a volley from Carroll before Fulham counter-attacked with Krul saving from Dempsey after good work from Johnson.

Guthrie provided a decent cross for Lovenkrands but once again Schwarzer was up to the challenge.

Fulham, pushing forward, almost snatched a winner but Demble could only look on in frustration as his shot cannoned to safety off the bar after a knock-down from Etuhu.

Newcastle had one last serious chance but when Schwarzer and Hangleand got into a mix-up Carroll could only shoot inches wide.




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