Newcastle United produced another extremely disappointing performance against Fulham as their unbeaten start to the Premier League season came to an end.
The Magpies had the chance to go top of the league against Fulham, at a ground where they had won their last five games.
However, Newcastle United‘s hot streak at Craven Cottage came to an end in emphatic fashion on Saturday. Eddie Howe’s side lost 3-1 to the Cottagers, as the result finally matched the performance.
Paul Merson did not think Newcastle’s luck could continue for much longer, and he proved to be correct. Alan Shearer described Newcastle as ‘awful’ against Fulham, as they return to the North East with no points.
It was a worrying performance in West London. The first half was particularly bad, while various key players failed to deliver once again.
Anthony Gordon played in multiple positions against Fulham
But the biggest disappointment was Anthony Gordon.
It had been rumoured that Gordon would play up front against Fulham, but he was allowed to operate out wide due to Alexander Isak being passed fit.
The 23-year-old started on the right of attack, before moving to the left – his preferred side – halfway through the first half.
Then the second half saw him play centrally in and around Isak, as Howe tweaked his team to try and salvage a result.
However, a comeback was not forthcoming.
Shocking performance from Newcastle United’s number 10
Gordon has not enjoyed a very good start to the season for Newcastle. The £40million man has been nowhere near his best, amid claims that Gordon could soon become Newcastle’s best paid player with contract talks on the horizon.
But the Magpies’ number 10 certainly did not play like a man who should be the best paid player at the club.
His display against Fulham was very concerning. Gordon was extremely wasteful in possession, giving the ball away on countless occasions. And the times he was able to retain the ball, he did not do much with it.
The most worrying aspect of Gordon’s performance was his body language. He did not look interested in times, with his dejected manner reflecting his terrible performance.
It was his most infuriating appearance in a Newcastle United shirt, having joined the club from Everton in January 2023.
He did not look like himself, and was taken off in the 83rd minute as Will Osula made his Toon debut.
Last season was the best of Gordon’s career, yet now he is playing at a level we have never seen before from him in a Newcastle United shirt.
The hope was that he would get even better after the disappointment of Euro 2024, but his performances have gone in the opposite direction following a summer that saw him linked with a move to Liverpool.
Harvey Barnes proving he should play on the left for Newcastle
Gordon wants to play on the left wing, but that is also Harvey Barnes‘ preferred position.
Howe needs to find a way to get the most out of both players, but it was Barnes who proved on Saturday that he should be playing on the left.
He gave Newcastle a slither of hope at Craven Cottage, as he scored within a minute of the second half kicking off. The goal came from a brilliant bit of play from Jacob Murphy, who played in Barnes.
Then, in true Harvey Barnes fashion, the 26-year-old produced a wonderful finish with his right foot to score his third goal of the season and make it 2-1. Sadly, it did not inspire a comeback from the Magpies.
But it was a fresh reminder from Barnes why he is the Newcastle United player who should be starting on the left wing ahead of Anthony Gordon.
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