Fulham 2-0 Newcastle: Tom Cairney stunner helps Cottagers sign off Premier League season in style and finish above Magpies
Report and free match highlights as Tom Cairney's stunning strike helps Fulham to a 2-0 win over Newcastle, ensuring the Cottagers finish above their visitors; Issa Diop's first Premier League goal since 2022 gave hosts a first-half lead
Sunday 24 May 2026 19:03, UK
Fan favourite Tom Cairney's stunner saw Fulham sign off in style with a 2-0 win over Newcastle in what may be Marco SIlva's final game in charge.
Silva has said he will sit down with the club hierarchy next week with the Portuguese's contract due to expire at the end of June, and Benfica said to be interested in bringing him back to his homeland to replace Jose Mourinho this summer.
Whether he remains in charge at Craven Cottage or not, he signed off for this season at least in fine style with a deserved win over a beleaguered Newcastle who looked unrecognisable from the team which dismantled West Ham seven days earlier.
Silva is not the only potential departure this summer with Harry Wilson and Raul Jimenez, whose contracts are also both up next month, given late cameos by the Fulham boss.
Conversely, there was no room in Newcastle's line-up for Anthony Gordon, who was an unused substitute for the fourth game in a row - and even overlooked for 18-year-old Sean Neave late on.
- As it happened | Teams | Stats
- Live Premier League table | Watch FREE PL highlights
- Got Sky? Watch Premier League games LIVE on your phone📱
- Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW 📺
Fulham found themselves well on top throughout but in a first half lacking clear-cut chances, took advantage of the one they did fashion when the lively Kevin's superb free-kick bounced back off the bar, and Issa Diop took advantage of some static Newcastle defending to nod home the rebound.
Eddie Howe responded at the break by changing formation and withdrawing Jacob Murphy for Harvey Barnes, but things got little better for his side.
Instead, it was the arrival of Fulham midfielder Cairney which breathed some life into a game fatigued in the searing London heat. The 35-year-old fired a warning shot wide of the far post shortly after his arrival but went one better from a corner soon after, bending in a peach of a 25-yard effort.
That ensured Fulham would end the season above their visitors and ended a three-game winless streak for the Cottagers while Newcastle dropped to 12th, their worst finish since Steve Bruce's final season in 2020/21.
Howe highlights 'mental' issue in Newcastle defeat
Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe to Sky Sports:
"It was a disappointing performance from us, for a whole host of reasons we weren't at the levels we needed to be.
"It's a mix of everything. We weren't a big enough goal threat, we didn't defend with enough solidity and we weren't quite right. We tried to change things around numerous times in the game but it was more of a mental issue than anything else.
"Last summer was part of our turbulent season to a degree. But there's lots to learn from that, and the club will be stronger for it especially with the people that have joined the club."
Silva rues missing 'cherry on cake' after narrow Europe miss
Fulham head coach Marco Silva to Sky Sports:
"Most of the times this season we have deserved more from some games but margins are very important in games - that's what we've missed this season.
"We've had some great moments, great wins, but we missed the cherry on the cake for the club to be in Europe next season.
"But we gave the fans a good performance, and now let's hope we can enjoy it with them.
"The way we prepare ourselves, it was important to have a good feeling to end the season.
"We were very strong at home this season, the opposite away from home but we have made this place a fortress but in the most decisive game, with Bournemouth, we missed that maturity and emotional balance to win the game and see where it could lead us."
Story of the match in stats
What's next?
Already thinking about the 2026/27 Premier League season?
There's a World Cup to fit in first - follow live blogs of every game on the Sky Sports App - but the key dates are locked in for next term, when Sky Sports will once again show at least 215 live Premier League games.
Here's your summer diary:
June 11: World Cup starts - day-by-day fixture list
June 14: Scotland's opener vs Haiti (2am)
June 15: Summer transfer window opens
June 17: England's opener vs Croatia (9pm)
June 19: Premier League fixtures released (10am)
July 19: World Cup final
August 22-23: Premier League opening weekend
August 27: Champions League league phase draw
September 1: Transfer Deadline Day (window closes at 11pm UK time)
September 8-10: Champions League matchday 1
May 30, 2027: Premier League final day
