Newcastle fans went in to Sundays game filled with anxiety, an all too familiar feeling this season. After two defeats on the trot and results going against them on Saturday, Newcastle needed a win. They were just three points clear of the drop. Fulham on the other hand should probably have very little to worry about. Sitting in tenth 9 points clear of the drop before kick-off, only a disaster could see them dragged in to the relegation scrap. The first 45 minutes did little to ease Newcastle fans nerves with a tentative first half being play out, with the best chance falling to Fulham as Yapou-Mbiwa blocked a Bryan Ruiz effort close in. Pappis Cisse missed Newcastles best chance as Marveaux played him in but he could hit the target from inside the area. The second half was much different with Newcastle doing all the pressing and Fulham having to hit Newcastle on the counter. Anita had an effort deflected on to the bar by Frimpong with Schwarzer stranded. A Newcastle corner was met by the head of Gouffran and amongst huge cries for handball, the man on the line deflected it on to the post, Cisse could only hit the follow up against the woodwork. Chances continued to come for Newcastle, with Schwarzer producing a fine save from a Cisse header, but Newcastle had Tim Krul to thank for staying level with around 20 minutes to go when he produced a fantastic save at full stretch from a Berbatov header. It started to feel like one of them days, it just wasnt going to come. Deep in stoppage time though with Marveaux on the deck and Cabaye barely able to walk, it came. Cabaye picked up the ball outside the Fulham area and unable to move Cabaye struck the ball in to the area and Cisses fantastic touch took him in to space and he finished passed the keeper, pandemonium ensues. Cisse and Sissoko were in the crowd as was Alan Pardew, the huge nature of this result not lost on anyone. Newcastle saw the game out for a huge three points. Here are five of the things we learnt from that match:
5. Jonas Gutierrez Has A Huge Part To Play
A lot of Newcastle fans have been frustrated with Jonas Gutierrezs performances this season. This might be understandable, the Argentine hasnt hit the heights of the last few years going forward but he has never shunned his defensive duties. However, on Sunday Jonas was at his best. Playing in central midfield a lot this season he seemed to have lost the confidence to take the ball forward. However, playing out wide Jonas flew down the line all afternoon and was a constant threat to the Fulham defence. Despite the injury to Davide Santon forcing him in to left back, he was still very dangerous. Jonas never stopped running, he beat the full backs time and time again and got the ball in to the right areas for Newcastle to attack. However he never shunned his defensive duty and was always stopping Manolev down the right hand side, who had a quiet game. Jonas work rate and running was a joy to behold. With key games still to come in the run in and injuries piling up again, Newcastle need all the attacking threat and versatility they can get, especially with injuries to Debuchy and Santon, Jonas ability to fill in at full back could be invaluable. If he keeps up is man of the match performance from Sunday, Jonas will be vital in keeping Newcastle in the Premiership.