Eddie Howe brands Newcastle 'lucky' in win over Fulham

Newcastle United walked away from Craven Cottage with a 1-0 victory on Saturday, but it wasn't easy.

Fulham held 68 percent possession and there were times that the field appearred tilted in the hosts' favour, as Newcastle spent long stretches defending in their own half and only connected only less than half of the number of passes that the Cottagers did.

Yet it was Bruno Guimaraes' 81st-minute strike that was the deciding factor between the sides, and after the match Magpies boss Eddie Howe illustrated just how difficult it was for his side.

"It does feel like a big three points off the back of the week we have had," Howe told BBC Match of the Day. "We have a small squad at the moment, we are really stretched but everyone is really fighting for the cause.

"It was a very difficult game today. Fulham started well, we didn't. It took a huge effort from the lads to get the win in the end."

Howe stressed that he didn't feel his side were good enough in the opening half of the match, explaining that he felt Newcastle's mentality was lacklustre. Howe relayed that message to the players at halftime, and later expressed relief that his side were still in the match after the first 45 minutes.

"I can't repeat what I said [at halftime] but we just needed to wake up," he said. "In this game, in the Premier League, the ruthlessness of teams, if you are off it you will be punished.

"We were lucky to still be in the game at halftime."

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