It had been a particularly expensive journey for Newcastle United supporters, but you suspect it was worth it. Having, somehow, defied a train strike to get to Craven Cottage on Saturday, these diehards were rewarded for their efforts with a 4-1 win against 10-man Fulham that sent the Magpies up to seventh place in the table.
Just as the 2,300 hoarse Geordies behind the goal savoured Newcastle's first league victory since the opening day - proudly singing 'Who's that team you call United?' - so, too, did players and staff alike at full-time. Standing side by side in front of the away end, Eddie Howe, his coaching team and the entire match day squad applauded the club's remarkable travelling support. This felt like a big win - in so many ways.
Newcastle had 68% possession, 19 shots and eight corners away from home, which were unimaginable numbers not so long ago. Newcastle chalked up similar figures in the frustrating draws against Crystal Palace and Bournemouth but, this time, Howe's side scored the goals to reflect that dominance as Callum Wilson, Miguel Almiron (two) and Sean Longstaff all found the back of the net. Yes, Fulham were a man down for 82 minutes, after Nathaniel Chalobah's early red card, but Newcastle quickly managed to make that advantage count in a game the visitors were desperate to win.
