Fantastic Crossley is Fulham saviour

Chris Coleman was not without sympathy. "Maybe that was a penalty because Alan is not the type of guy to try to con the referee," said the Fulham manager. "The ball bounced for us today and a few decisions went our way.

"But our keeper was fantastic and at 1-0 we were hanging on in there. We managed to hit them on the counter attack, which was our plan really, so I was delighted.

"It's a difficult place to come at the best of times, never mind the way we've been performing away from home. Nobody comes to Newcastle to win by three or four, so we are privileged."

Crossley had already thwarted Lee Bowyer, Craig Bellamy and Robbie Elliott before Collins John dispatched Luis Boa Morte's pass beyond Newcastle goalkeeper Steve Harper in the 28th minute.

Fulham went further ahead midway through the second half when Andy Cole, back on his old stomping ground, dispossessed Andy O'Brien before feeding Steed Malbranque. The Frenchman promptly drilled his shot into the bottom corner. In the 71st minute, Malbranque scored a second and Fulham's third, this time converting from the penalty spot after Elliott felled substitute Tomasz Radzinski.

Malbranque then released Boa Morte, who raced clear before lifting the ball over Harper to make it four.

Newcastle finally had something to cheer when Bellamy headed a consolation goal in the 77th minute, though their muted celebrations were drowned by Fulham's small band of travelling supporters, who with a touch of optimism chanted: "Bring on the Chelsea."