Newcastle boss Alan Shearer found himself back deep in relegation trouble after Mark Viduka was controversially denied a precious equaliser against Fulham.
Trailing 1-0 to the Cottagers as a result of Diomansy Kamara's 41st-minute strike, the Australian thought he had levelled five minutes after the break to give his side a lifeline.
However, referee Howard Webb harshly chalked off his effort for a foul by Kevin Nolan on keeper Mark Schwarzer to dump the Magpies, who played the last half-hour with 10 men after defender Sebastien Bassong had been sent off, back into the mire with just one game remaining in which to save themselves.
Newcastle, who had soon to be out-of-contract skipper Michael Owen missing with a groin injury in what might have been his final game for the club, went close 12 minutes from time, but Schwarzer pulled off a fine save to deny Obafemi Martins, who had earlier hit the post, and then kept out Nicky Butt's injury-time effort.
They now face a trip to Aston Villa next Sunday knowing even victory might not be enough if other results go against them and with their Barclays Premier League status hanging by a thread.
Fulham, in contrast, remain two points ahead of Tottenham in the race for seventh spot and the final place in next season's Europa League.
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I've been supporting Fulham for over fourty years and have had to put up with what Newcastle are going through many times. This year the team have been a pleasure to watch. no great big ' lumping ' the ball up field (Alladyce), but neat interpassing from front to back. Yes, weve rode our luck a few times, but weve had our share of bad luck too and that kind of thing evens itself out over a season. Hodgson has conducted himself with great dignity all season. No gloating,no ranting or raveing,.he doesn't critisice other managers or players, he conducts himself in a cool manner and is a credit to Fulham.I hope Fulham manage to hang on to their players this season but if they dont they MUST hang on to Roy Hodgson.
no manager comes close to Roy. 17th to 7th. Sir alex went 1st to 1st with an unlimited budget.
Well said 'malcbridger' - Fulham have been brilliant this season and Hodgson does deserve manager of the year, he has pulled them from relegation to 7th position. We thoroughly deserve to be in Europe next year - and I believe we will be. Come on Boys!!
spurs will beat lfc and fulham wont get anything out of everton
Roy Hodgson should win Manager of the Year but Sir Alex will no doubt beat him to it, unjustifiably in my opinion.
We must have been watching different matches, or you are a bitter Geordie fan? Fulham thoroughly deserved their win today, we defended brilliantly and 'Sir' Roy Hodgson has galvanised a team that include several players not even deemed good enough for the Championship, like Pantsil, Etuhu, and others like our captain Danny Murphy and Mark Schwartzer (although nearing the twilight of their careers) have been magnificent this season.
Roy has instilled a great'team' ethic into the lads, and has got Fulham playing the game on the floor and 1 point away from European qualification! Fulham fans cannot believe how far we have come this season after the miraculous escape last year. We sold the greedy Bullard (who refused to play for with 16 months remaining on his contract) to Hull, he got his 45k per week and made a passing shot saying 'I am moving to a bigger team' and the pundits seemed to be rubbing their hands together at our imminent demise. We have now reached our highest position (and points tally) in our history, and thanks to a great defence that include the mighty Brede Hangeland and the much underrated Aaron Hughes we have conceded 31 goals as opposed to 60 last season ! We rode our luck on a couple of occasions today, but luck equals out over the season.
Roy Hodgson MUST be a very strong contender for manager of the season. COYW!!!
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