Murphy strike cancelled out as Muniz rescues Fulham
Just when Newcastle looked set for victory after Jacob Murphy borrowed Amar Dedic’s bow to arrow them into a late lead, they turned the weapon on themselves, wrote CRAIG HOPE, CHIEF FOOTBALL, on 7 November 2026. Dedic, a Bosnian defender, had made headlines the previous week when police pursued him for wandering the Northumberland countryside with his hunting gear.
Ten minutes from time, Murphy found the target, giving Newcastle a late lead in West London. The Geordies were ready to rob the good folk of West London. Less than three minutes later, Newcastle conceded as William Osula failed to protect possession on the halfway line and Fulham broke forward.
Fulham substitute Rodrigo Muniz then pounced, scoring after the ball bounced around the goalmouth to punish Newcastle’s scruffy defending. At the 33rd minute, Dan Burn flicked home from Murphy’s low cross, a goal Newcastle thought gave them the lead, but officials ruled Burn on‑side after seeing Yoane Wissa pinning Timothy Castagne. Fulham’s Josh King earned his club’s first England call‑up in eight years, being named in Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions squad on Friday.
In the second half, Harvey Barnes missed three clear chances, twice denied by Bernd Leno before half‑time and once lashing wide after the break. Newcastle would have won had Barnes converted any of those opportunities. After Murphy’s 25‑yard strike from a loose pass by Rodrigo Palacios, the Geordies celebrated, only for Muniz to equalise moments later, leaving the match at 1‑1.
Post‑match reaction
Matthias Jaissle, the visiting manager, noted the side’s performance was much improved after a run of four defeats in five matches. The second‑half spirit responded to a week of dressing‑room unrest and Dedic’s police drama. Jaissle’s side must cut out the errors if they are to win future matches.
The draw keeps Newcastle and Alvaro Arbeloa’s Fulham in the bottom half of the table, where they are likely to remain. Lukas Hornicek, standing 6ft 6ins, had to dive fully to make a save, highlighting Newcastle’s reliance on the big Czech to bail them out.