Leon Best struck twice to secure all three points for Newcastle as they overcame Fulham at St James' Park to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.

The Republic of Ireland international tapped in from close range for his first before converting a Demba Ba cross for his second before Clint Dempsey nodded home a late consolation for the visitors.

Both teams had only scored one goal in their opening two games and it looked like it would stay that way after a lacklustre first half. Both teams looked jaded after tough cup games on Thursday and their wasn't much excitement for the 42,684 crammed into St James' Park.

It took until the 44th minute before the first clear cut chance materialised with Jonas Gutierrez seeing his header saved by Mark Schwarzer in the Cottagers goal.

The second half proved to be a much more entertaining affair with Best giving the Magpies the lead minutes after the restart. Schwarzer tipped Yohan Cabaye's stinging effort onto the bar with the former Coventry striker given the easiest of tap ins for his first goal of the new season.

Fulham mounted an immediate response with Steve Sidwell seeing his header tipped over by Tim Krul. Demba Ba was then thrown on by boss Alan Pardew and had an instant impact linking up with Best who turned and swept home his second in the 65th minute to send the Geordie faithful into pandemonium.

Chris Baird then tried to get Fulham back into the game but his long range effort was superbly saved by Krul before the Dutchman was beaten two minutes from time as Dempsey headed in from Danny Murphy's delicious free kick delivery.

But the Toon held on for their second consecutive win whilst Martin Jol continues to search for his first victory as manager at Craven Cottage

 

 

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