The self proclaimed best fans in the world visited the Cottage on Saturday and were promptly sent packing after a surprisingly comfortable victory for Fulham.
Much like their fans, the Newcastle team arrived with a team bursting with big reputations but failed to deliver even a token challenge once they had fallen behind.
In a dreary first half (possibly the worst I can remember) only a decent save from stand in keeper Jan Lastuvka late in the half (his first save for the club?) kept Fulham in the game.
The lack of excitement in the first period lead to an extended drink at half time and the best I can say about Heidar Helguson’s goal is that I heard it from my position at the bar - a quick look at the Putney end showed the Toon fans quiet and seated (for once) and the Whites were on their way to an important 3 points.
Visibly lifted by the goal, Fulham sparked to life in the second half, and played some of their best passing football of the season.
Michael Brown reinforced his growing reputation amongst the Fulham faithful with a dominant performance in the middle of the park - outplaying and outbattling England internationals past and present in Nicky Butt and Scott Parker. On current form it is no exaggeration to suggest that Brown should be considered for an International call up (I hope he has some Irish roots).
Franck Queudrue and Wayne Routledge get better every week and Simon Davies looks like a decent signing.
The arrival of Papa Bouba Diop for the battered Volz was the catalyst for the 2nd and deciding goal - the massive Senagalese international playing for his future, twisted and turned down the right flank and swatted aside a challenge from Carr before finding the ever impressive McBride to drill home.
2-0 up and comfortable, I think most were waiting for the Geordies pressure to mount, but fortunately it never happened. Helguson and Bocanegra were denied a deserved third goal and Fulham were in cruise control.
With 3 minutes of injury time indicated and Fulham passing to a crescendo of “Oles” I could relax, and a fan in front of me even screwed up his betting coupon (2-1 to Fulham at 7/1) , but there was still time for Newcastle’s best player Obafemi Martins to latch onto a Solano pass and fire past the improving Lastuvka..
Time for one fan to start scrabbling on the floor to try and find his betting coupon and another (me) facing a night on the beers with several Geordie acquaintances.
Their team was diabolical, lacking any heart or commitment and the so called best fans in the world put in an equally shoddy performance in the Pubs of Putney.
The highlight of their day probably a monster wedgie (pants over his heid) given to a teenage Fulham fan in the Eight Bells which lead to the Pub being shut early- brave lads those Geordies
Source Paul Browne