Fulham 3-1 Newcastle

&c

It was always going to go one of two ways.

Either we'd click and start playing well, or we'd start losing, but eventually the results had to match up to the performances.

Unfortunately, on the previously happy hunting ground of Craven Cottage, Newcastle's unbeaten start to the season came to an overdue end.

Not unlike most games this season there were bright patches - notably, yet again, after half time substitutions, leading to the obvious conclusion that we don't seem to be starting the correct XI.

This time though, we were 2-0 down by half time, after a disallowed Joelinton goal (the returning Joe Willock offside as he played Joe in) being immediately followed by a smart Raul Jimenez goal for Fulham.

Subsequent Emile Smith-Rowe-shaped warning signs weren't heeded, and the former Arsenal man made it two shortly after.

Half time substitute Jacob Murphy was instrumental in playing in Barnes to halve the deficit within 30 seconds of the restart and our general play was much improved after the break, but once again we failed to provide Isak with any service.

In fact, the best chance came to Fabian Schar who, channeling his inner Philippe Albert, intercepted a Fulham goal kick but could only find the side netting with the whole of the goal to aim at.

A late third Fulham goal, courtesy of Bruno smashing it senselessly across his own box, sealed a defeat that had looked on the cards since the early Jimenez goal.

With AFC Wimbledon and Man City at home in the next week, it's already feeling a little uncomfortable for Howe.

Full disclosure, I am a fully paid-up member of the Eddie fan club, but there are obvious tensions between him and the man who now decides if he keeps the job, and it doesn't take a giant tin foil hat to think that the first bad run of results will have resolve tested in the boardroom (or wherever the hell it is the director of football works from).

So Eddie, if you're reading this (what am I saying if?) - give wor Sandro a start, that's my advice.

Finally, a note on Gordon.

He's been a model pro since he arrived (if you look on the "he just loves playing" side of his strop when he was subbed off that one time), but for the first time there were moments against Fulham where he didn't look like he was busting a gut off the ball.

Mooted by his club as a PSR sacrifice to Liverpool and now moved out of position to accommodate the in-form Barnes, all doesn't seem well with our most consistent player of last season.

Saying that, he's set himself high standards, and he's far from the only player yet to hit his straps this season.

Let's hope for a morale-boosting cup win on Tuesday.

Anything less would threaten to derail this season earlier than usual.

Mind, that away kit though - losing never looked so good.