Best nets twice to see off Fulham

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Newcastle 2 Fulham 1

Leon Best netted both Newcastle’s goals as Fulham slumped to a third consecutive defeat.

Best broke the deadlock at St James’ Park three minutes after half-time when he followed up to score after goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer had saved Yohan Cabaye’s shot.

The striker then doubled the Magpies’ lead by firing home from Demba Ba’s cross.

Fulham, again without injured forward Bobby Zamora, pulled one back when Danny Murphy’s late free-kick was headed in by Clint Dempsey – their first Premier League goal under manager Martin Jol.

Beaten by Dnipro on Thursday and Wolves last weekend, the Whites did create chances and Magpies keeper Tim Krul produced a number of saves.

Krul denied Murphy, Steve Sidwell and Chris Baird, while Fulham wide-man Damien Duff sent a shot into the side-netting.