Newcastle United earned a reputation last season for using the ‘dark arts’ of timewasting to get through games, and that criticism has resurfaced following their 0-1 victory against Fulham.
Eddie Howe’s side failed to establish themselves in a Fulham-dominated first half. Even while in possession, Newcastle never looked like achieving anything, with so many passes going to Fulham players rather than our own.
Around 21 minutes, Martin Dubravka collapsed on the field, clutching his knee and requiring on-field treatment; this provided Eddie Howe with an ideal opportunity to address his team and fire a rake into them in the hopes that they would gain control of the game.
Dubravka then went down again later in the half after colliding with Emil Krafth, and the Slovakian appeared noticeably uncomfortable for the remainder of the half, preferring to toss rather than kick the ball.
Marco Silva accused Eddie Howe of telling Dubravka to go down
When a goalkeeper goes to the ground for treatment, unlike outfield players, they are not required to leave the field for 30 seconds, therefore Fulham manager Marco Silva accused Dubravka of faking an injury to allow Howe to receive his touchline dressing down. (via Newcastle World).
“Some moments Newcastle tried to break our momentum with the goalkeeper twice and players on the grass. They were struggling in some moments of the first-half.
“Yes, it was tactical. The first one is clear. They gave feedback for the goalkeeper to go down. When the goalkeeper is down the referee has to start the game, no way for the game to keep going. It was a tactical decision from them.
“It was the decision of Eddie. No comments on that.”
Eddie Howe responded to the accusation
Meanwhile, Eddie Howe has responded to the accusation, saying it wasn’t a deliberate ploy, but it he did take full advantage of the situation.
“No. Martin Dubravka was feeling something in his leg and we were saying to go down if you’re feeling something. But that gave us a chance to get the group in and that was much needed at that moment in the game.
“Martin’s injury allowed us to regroup and refocus, and sometimes the game can get away from you very quickly. But it was change of attitude that made the difference and some very good players.”
As we stated in our post-match analysis, despite their dominance, Fulham never threatened our goal, therefore Silva should focus on what his team was doing rather than what Eddie Howe was up to.
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