Newcastle United may have secured a much-needed three points against Fulham, but beneath the joy of Bruno Guimarães’ dramatic late winner lies a performance that exposed several worrying flaws.
The 2-1 victory at St. James’ Park was one the Magpies had to fight tooth and nail for, but it also raised uncomfortable questions about some of Eddie Howe’s key players particularly Dan Burn, whose struggles continue to mount.
The afternoon was filled with drama across the Premier League, but Newcastle’s win was one of the most hard-fought. A first-half goal from Jacob Murphy appeared to set the tone for what should have been a comfortable afternoon for the hosts.
However, as has often been the case this season, Newcastle’s lack of composure and defensive lapses allowed Fulham to drag themselves back into the contest.
When Sasa Lukic equalized early in the second half, frustration spread through the home crowd as familiar problems resurfaced misplaced passes, slow transitions, and defensive uncertainty.
Bruno Guimarães’ 89th-minute strike was a moment of pure relief. The Brazilian once again showed his class and leadership when Newcastle needed it most, saving the team from what could have been another disappointing result. But while Guimarães delivered, several of his teammates struggled to make any real impact.
Lewis Miley, handed another opportunity to start in midfield, looked quiet and disconnected for much of his 61 minutes on the pitch. The 19-year-old managed only 36 touches and won just one duel numbers that underline his limited influence in the game.
He is still learning at this level, but against a well-drilled Fulham side, his lack of physical presence and confidence was apparent. Howe will likely give him more time, but Newcastle need stronger performances in the middle of the park if they want to climb the table.
Another underwhelming performer was Sven Botman. Usually calm and commanding, the Dutch defender was far from his best, failing to win a single aerial duel.
His inability to clear danger directly led to Fulham’s equaliser, a rare but costly lapse for a player usually so reliable.
Then there was Nick Woltemade, who continues to show flashes of potential without truly delivering. The German striker hit the post early on from a Kieran Trippier free-kick, but aside from that moment, his finishing deserted him.
His general hold-up play remains useful, but the lack of cutting edge in front of goal was frustrating. Still, given his contribution to Newcastle’s build-up play, he is unlikely to lose his place.
The same cannot be said for Dan Burn. Once one of Howe’s most dependable figures, the 33-year-old looks increasingly out of place at left-back.
Injuries to Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall have forced Howe to keep Burn in that role, but his limitations in possession and pace are now becoming a major concern. Against Fulham, Burn’s performance was far from convincing.
In 90 minutes, he completed just 24 of 35 passes a 69% accuracy rate and lost possession a staggering 19 times. His long balls, one of his supposed strengths, rarely found their target, with only one of five attempts successful.
He won just three of eleven duels, a worrying statistic for a player known for his physicality and aerial strength. At times, Burn appeared hesitant, slow to react, and vulnerable when pressed by Fulham’s wingers.
By contrast, Kieran Trippier on the opposite flank delivered another composed and assured display. He created two key chances, defended with intelligence, and showed the leadership expected of a senior player.
The difference between Newcastle’s right and left sides was glaring, and it’s becoming increasingly difficult for Howe to ignore it.
This isn’t the first time Burn’s struggles have been exposed. Against Arsenal earlier in the season, he lost the ball 26 times in a similarly shaky performance.
The pattern is now too consistent to be dismissed as a one-off. Burn’s lack of pace and composure under pressure make him a weak link against fast, technical opponents.
The Shields Gazette’s Dominic Scurr rated Burn just 6/10 for his display against Fulham, describing his performance as one marred by “ball-watching.” While the veteran defender avoided making a game-changing mistake, his overall contribution did little to inspire confidence.
With Malick Thiaw emerging as a strong defensive option and both Livramento and Hall nearing returns, Burn’s position in the starting XI looks increasingly fragile.
Eddie Howe’s loyalty to his players is well known, but even he must now be weighing his options. Burn’s versatility has been valuable, yet Newcastle’s ambitions demand more dynamism and precision from their full-backs.
If the Magpies are serious about pushing higher up the Premier League table, changes are inevitable.
For now, Howe can take solace in the result. Newcastle showed resilience, spirit, and enough quality to snatch victory late on.
But the performance itself was far from convincing. Burn’s struggles, combined with the inconsistency of several others, serve as a reminder that there is still much work to do.
Bruno Guimarães may have rescued three points, but Newcastle can’t rely on moments of brilliance every week. To move forward, Howe must make bold decisions — and that could mean finally dropping Dan Burn from the starting lineup.
