Newcastle United moved back up to third in the Premier League with a hard-fought win over Fulham at St James' Park, and showed the sort of foundations that title-winning sides are built upon.
It was another game in which United dominated play but struggled to make it pay, but a sign of a good team is to persevere until the death - they did just that with an 89-minute winner from Alexander Isak. They also had the luck that seemingly follows the best teams around as Alexander Mitrovic kicked his spot-kick twice to see it ruled null and void. Opposition fans will be keen to point out the luck involved, but in this game luck is a huge part of achieving success.
But perhaps the most pleasing thing about United's win over Fulham was their game management, the clever little plays once Isak had netted that ran down the clock to secure another three points.
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You had Dan Burn holding the ball in his hands high above the Fulham players as they attempted to restart the game after Newcastle conceded a foul deep in the opposition half. The sight of Fulham players trying to reach the ball as Burn held it up brought a chuckle from most in the stands but crucially allowed Newcastle to get back and organized and also waste some valuable seconds.
You had Jacob Murphy hopping about shortly after the goal was scored, and then being told to go down - he obliged, holding his hamstring. The Fulham bench was irate. Even more so when the play resumed after several minutes, then the ball went out and Newcastle then made a final substitution with Chris Wood replacing Callum Wilson.
Marco Silva through his hands up in frustration as more seconds were wasted. Amongst all that, there's even a claim that the delay was added to by the fact the fourth official was told Fulham had 12 players. You can't help but laugh.
And in those moments, Jason Tindall was in the ear of the Fulham coaching staff who were nearly off their seats arguing about the delay. It served to wind the opposition up even more.
Moments later, Murphy was involved again as the ball went out for a Newcastle throw only for the winger to trip over the ball twice in a sort-of Murphy-two-step move, something older fans might remember Paul Gascoigne was fond of doing.
It helped run the clock down and disrupt any late attacks from Fulham. From the opposition side of things, it's understandably frustrating but the Newcastle of old lacked the approach to see games out but under Howe, they're showing the know-how of top teams.
Yes, sometimes it's a risk - the Liverpool game back in August is a fine example of when trying to run the clock down backfires but five months on, this is a totally different Newcastle side. A side with a nasty streak about them and one that has grown.
Newcastle's switch from throwing everything at Fulham to then digging in, being resolute and clever with and without the ball was impressive. It was a quick switch, only doable thanks to clear instructions and leaders on the pitch.
There will be games where Newcastle dominate and score by the bucket load but in games such as this with a well-drilled defence, the ability to see out a one-nil win is always key. It's just the start of the journey but Newcastle are already showing they have the foundations of a very good Premier League side.
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