Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe didn’t hold back in addressing his players after goalkeeper Martin Dubravka required treatment, which led to Fulham feeling it was a tactical move by the Magpies.
Fulham captain Tom Cairney expressed his view that Newcastle acted “quite clever” by using the break in play to regroup during their 1-0 victory at Craven Cottage.
Initially, when Dubravka went down injured, the situation seemed dire for Newcastle as Fulham dominated possession and had numerous shots on goal.
Howe, visibly frustrated, gathered his players to deliver a stern message, emphasizing the need to “wake up.” Although the Newcastle boss didn’t disclose the specifics of his talk, he denied any intentional disruption, citing Dubravka’s genuine injury concern.
Despite Fulham’s claims of Newcastle staff influencing Dubravka’s actions, Howe refuted these allegations. Ultimately, Newcastle emerged victorious with a late goal from Bruno Guimaraes, further emphasizing their disruptive tactics that hindered Fulham’s momentum.
“They were quite clever with the ‘keeper going down and giving them little breathers and tactics and things like that,” he told club media. “They did that a couple of times in the first half. They were just using their experience trying to delay the game. It kind of worked.”