FULHAM ended a seven-game winless run in the Premier League after Hugo Rodallega’s second-half goal delivered a 2-1 win over a lackluster Newcastle.
FULHAM ended a seven-game winless run in the Premier League after Hugo Rodallega’s second-half goal delivered a 2-1 win over a lackluster Newcastle.The Colombia striker scored with a header from a free kick in the 64th minute at Craven Cottage to inflict Newcastle’s fifth loss in its past six league matches.Fulham was better in the first half and scored through Steve Sidwell’s tame shot that hit Newcastle defender Mike Williamson and went in off the crossbar in the 18th.Hatem Ben Arfa equalized in the 54th when his shot deflected off John Arn Riise to loop over goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.Fulham is 13th with 20 points, one position and three points ahead of Newcastle.Fulham defender Sascha Reither made two first-half blocks to deny Fabio Coloccini and Pappiss Cisse.Despite not having scored for 298 minutes before kickoff, Fulham were the better team in the first half, looking lively and allowing offseason signing Dimitar Berbatov to dictate the pace of the play."Berbatov was special. Everything he seemed to pluck out the sky. When he’s in the mood, he’s a real problem,’’ Newcastle manager Alan Pardew said.