Smith Rowe shines as Fulham beat Newcastle for first defeat of season | Premier League

Newcastle failed to take advantage of their chance. Three points would have kept them unbeaten at the start of the season, put them top of the table and boosted optimism after a turbulent summer. Instead, they were forced to rue a poor first half against a lovely team. Fulham Front row goals from Raúl Jiménez, Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson ensured home victory.

The visitors could not find their rhythm even when they prepared for the second half, with Harvey Barnes' goal in the first minute after the restart making it 2-1. For the home side, the concern was obvious: they had squandered a lead against West Ham last Saturday thanks to Danny Ings' goal in the final minute of the game; would this be more of the same? But they held on until Nelson's goal in added time, when the substitute had an easy chance in the area after Bruno Guimarães' deflected clearance.

Newcastle came into the encounter with an early-season narrative formed: points over performance, unbeaten despite lacking a little sparkle. The main concern was whether Alexander Isak would play due to eye and foot problems, but relief would have filled those who travelled south after he was included in the starting XI. Fulham had a completely different team from their midweek B-movie, The Shootout of Deepdale.

Newcastle had landed their first major blow under the late summer sun, or so they thought. Joelinton was the scorer in the fifth minute, powering home the rebound from his own effort after Joe Willock's pass from the left. Their joy was short-lived as the flag was raised, and misfortune came moments later.

Jiménez was the starter and the finisher, finding Adama Traoré on the right before he entered the area. The winger cut back to cross to Jiménez, who was stalking the penalty spot but thinking and moving quicker than his marker, Fabian Schär. His chest lowered the ball; his right foot, turning, waited for the rebound before finishing.

Fulham were soon building up down the left, Alex Iwobi setting up Smith Rowe who rattled the bar. The home attackers were causing chaos. Jimenez, the No. 7, was No. 9, harassing the centre-backs, forcing Nick Pope into a spectacular save in the 14th minute after Iwobi's ball had gone over Dan Burn's reach.

Later in the first half, Jimenez fired over the bar from close range, putting all his effort into receiving a cross from the right and eclipsing his counterpart Isak.

Iwobi and Smith Rowe were kindred spirits and electric, with a delightful interplay. Both are products of Arsenal, both have that low-socks look that spells style. It was inevitable they would combine for the second, after a double followed by Smith Rowe slotting the ball through Burn’s legs and past Pope, the goalkeeper’s left hand not strong enough, and a 2-0 lead was established in less than 25 minutes. Something had to change for Newcastle.

“In the first half I thought we were too reactive, Fulham played well, it was difficult for us, we conceded a really bad first goal,” said Eddie Howe. “In the other games[this season]we haven’t been perfect, but we’ve shown real solidity and resilience in all performances. Today, defensively we weren’t good enough.”

Howe made the changes at half-time and the impact was immediate as the visitors capitalised on a mistake by Joachim Andersen. Jacob Murphy came on for Willock and brought on the effective Barnes, who scored his third goal in three league games with a low finish after coming in from the left.

Anxiety was now the predominant emotion for the home fans and it increased when a wonderful chance for a third passed by, with Pope brilliantly saving a shot from Iwobi after Traore had set up a cross from the right.

Newcastle continued to press, finally feeling alive as Fulham began to falter. There was chaos in the 72nd minute, when Bernd Leno's ball from goal was played to a dozing Smith Rowe inside the box. Schär sensed an opportunity, stole the ball from the striker and set up what should have been the equaliser. The ball crashed into the side-netting.

Home fans would continue to live with an impending sense of doom until Nelson provided sweet release.