Newcastle United were in cruise control as the minutes ticked by against 10-man Fulham. Not only were the Magpies closing in on their first Premier League win since the opening day; Eddie Howe's side were about to go home with a clean sheet.
Newcastle were so comfortable at 4-0 up that Howe had the luxury of being able to take off some of his key players in the closing stages at Craven Cottage. Sven Botman was ultimately the only starting defender still standing late on after Jamaal Lascelles, Jamal Lewis and Matt Targett were all introduced from the bench in the 83rd minute.
Botman may not have not had a huge amount to do defensively on Saturday, after Fulham retreated following Nathaniel Chalobah's early red card, but the Dutchman helped marshal Aleksandar Mitrovic alongside Fabian Schar before the in-form striker hobbled off. Mitrovic going off made Botman's life a little easier, but you can be sure the Dutchman still wanted to see the game out and help his side record a fourth shutout of the campaign.
