Newcastle failed to capitalise on their chance. Three points would have maintained their unbeaten start to the season, put them top of the table for the evening and boosted their optimism. Instead they were left to rue a poor first-half performance against a wonderful Fulham attack. Goals from Raúl Jiménez, Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson secured a fine, if not flawless, victory.

They never found their rhythm, even when they pressed in the second half. Harvey Barnes’ goal in the first minute after the restart made it 2-1 and set up a thrilling period. The hosts were worried: last week they had let a lead slip against West Ham thanks to a late equaliser from Danny Ings. Would it be the same this time? But they held on through Nelson’s goal in injury time, the substitute having an easy chance in the box after a misplaced pass from Bruno Gumiarães.

Newcastle went into the encounter with a history that had been established earlier in the season: points on performance, unbeaten despite lacking polish. The biggest concern was whether Alexander Isak would play due to eye and foot problems, a potential problem exacerbated by the lack of alternatives up front. Those who made the trip south to see Isak in the starting line-up were relieved. Fulham were unchanged from last weekend and completely changed from the midweek B-movie ‘The Shootout of Deepdale’.

Both sides started with gusto under the late summer sun, with Newcastle landing the first big blow – or so it was thought. Joelinton was the scorer in the fifth minute, hammering home the rebound of his own shot from a pass from Joe Willock on the left. Their joy was short-lived when the flag went up, for moments later misery set in.

Jiménez was the first and last to find Adama Traore on the right before breaking into the box. The winger cut in and crossed to Jiménez, who was lurking on the penalty spot but reacted and moved quicker than his marker Fabian Schãr. He received the ball on his chest and half-volleyed it into the bottom corner with his right foot while turning.

Not long after, Fulham started building play down the left, Alex Iwobi feeding Smith Rowe who hit the bar. Newcastle suddenly looked lost, the hosts’ stirring attack causing chaos. Jiménez, the No.7, was all No.9, running behind and pressing the centre-backs. In the 14th minute he forced Nick Pope into a brilliant save after Iwobi’s ball bounced over the bar and out of reach of Dan Burn. Later in the half, Jiménez shot over the bar from close range, using every ounce of his strength to convert a cross from the right. He showed real confidence in the first half, perhaps boosted by his goal last weekend.

Iwobi and Smith Rowe were particularly electrifying, kindred spirits with a wonderful interplay. Both Arsenal products, both have that rolled-down sock look that expresses flair. It was inevitable that they would combine for the second goal, their one-two seeing Smith Rowe slot the ball through Burns’ legs and past Pope, whose left hand was not strong enough, to establish a 2-0 lead in less than 25 minutes.

Newcastle looked desperate at the end of the first half, a few long balls into the box that Joelinton ran after but with little success, reflecting their history. Something had to change.

Howe made two changes at half-time, bringing on Lewis Hall for Lloyd Kelly and Jacob Murphy for Willock. The impact was immediate as the visitors capitalised on a mistake from Joachim Andersen. Murphy slid in the composed Barnes and the in-form winger scored his third goal in as many games with a well-placed shot into the bottom corner.

Nervousness was rampant among the home fans, and it only increased when Pope missed a wonderful chance to add a third goal in the 52nd minute, making a brilliant save from Iwobi at the far post after Traoré had converted a cross from the right.

Newcastle continued, finally feeling alive as Fulham began to falter. In the 72nd minute, chaos reigned when Bernd Leno’s goal kick was passed to a dozing Smith Rowe; Schär was aware of the opportunity and took the ball from the attacker to set up the equaliser. The away fans roared until they realised the side netting had been hit. The home fans continued to live with a sense of impending doom until Nelson provided sweet relief.