Rodallega ends goal drought to down Newcastle

LONDON (AFP) –

Hugo Rodallega's winner condemned Newcastle to a fifth defeat in their last six Premier League matches

Fulham striker Hugo Rodallega (L) wheels away after scoring the winner in the 2-1 win over Newcastle United. Steve Sidwell had put the hosts ahead before Hatem Ben Arfa equalised for Newcastle early in the second half.

Hugo Rodallega fired Fulham to their first win in eight matches as the Colombian ended his goal drought to seal a 2-1 victory over Newcastle at Craven Cottage.

Rodallega had failed to hit the back of the net since September, but the striker finally notched only his second goal since his pre-season move from Wigan with a second half header to kill off the Magpies.

It was sweet relief for both Rodallega and Fulham boss Martin Jol, whose struggling side had blown the first half lead given to them by Steve Sidwell.

Although Hatem Ben Arfa equalised for Newcastle early in the second half, Alan Pardew’s team, were unable to avoid a fifth defeat in their last six Premier League matches.

They remain only four points above the relegation zone after a 14th successive away match without a win.

Hugo Rodallega's thumping second-half header saw off Newcastle at Craven Cottage

Striker Hugo Rodallega (2L) fired Fulham to their first win in eight matches as the Colombian ended his goal drought with this header to seal a 2-1 victory over Newcastle at Craven Cottage. Rodallega had failed to hit the back of the net since September, but the striker finally notched only his second goal since his pre-season move from Wigan.

Jol said: “That was vital for us. I was so happy that we could score the first goal because that’s been our problem in the last couple of weeks.

“We showed some character but I felt we should have finished it off earlier.”

For Pardew, celebrating two years in charge of Newcastle, it was a miserable anniversary as Fulham took control on a freezing night on the banks of the River Thames.

“It’s a really soft second goal. You can’t do that as this level,” he said.

“We had the game by the scruff of the neck at that point. We played some of the best attacking play of the season, but we still came away with nothing.”

Rodallega had the first sight of goal for the Cottagers with a bicycle kick, although his acrobatic effort failed to test Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul.

Newcastle remain only four points above the relegation zone after a 14th successive away match without a win

Newcastle United’s Dutch midfielder Vernon Anita (R) shields the ball from Fulham defender John Arne Riise during their English Premier League match at Craven Cottage. The 2-1 victory was sweet relief for Fulham boss Martin Jol, whose struggling side had blown the first half lead given to them by Steve Sidwell.

Newcastle’s defence was far too open and the hosts were able to exploit those gaps to take the lead and end a five-hour goal drought in the 19th minute.

Damien Duff was the provider as he released Sidwell into the penalty area and the former Chelsea midfielder’s strike looped past Krul via a deflection off Mike Williamson.

Dimitar Berbatov should have doubled Fulham’s advantage moments later when he surged through on goal but, with just Krul to beat, the former Manchester United forward shot too close to the Newcastle goalkeeper.

Berbatov threatened again after Krul could only palm Sascha Riether’s cross to the Bulgarian, but once more he was unable to convert the chance as the Newcastle keeper recovered to save.

Pardew’s team had more menace about them in the second half and French forward Ben Arfa, back from four matches out with an injury, produced a moment of inspiration to equalise in the 54th minute.

Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer must have felt relatively comfortable when Ben Arfa took possession just outside the right edge of the penalty area.

But the Australian was left flat-footed as Ben Arfa rifled a fine strike into the roof of the net via a deflection off John Arne Riise.

Krul was quickly off his line to block when Sidwell went charging through soon after, yet Fulham didn’t have to wait long to take the lead.

In the 63rd minute, Duff whipped a teasing cross into the six-yard box, where Rodallega got in front of Fabricio Coloccini to head powerfully past Krul.

Desperate to make amends for that mistake, Coloccini went forward and smashed a shot against the bar from the edge of the area, but that was as close as the visitors came to an equaliser.