'No' - Eddie Howe shuts down Fulham manager's claim about Newcastle United after 1-0 win

Fulham boss Marco Silva accused Newcastle United of deliberately slowing his side’s momentum down when Martin Dubravka required physio treatment in the first-half.

The Magpies won 1-0 at Craven Cottage following Bruno Guimaraes’ 81st minute winner, however the visitors were lucky to go into half-time goalless after a dominant opening 45 minutes by Fulham.

Silva highlighted the moment United goalkeeper Dubravka first went to ground. While the Slovakian was treated for a leg injury, Eddie Howe gathered his players and appeared to deliver some stern words on the touchline.

“Some moments Newcastle tried to break our momentum with the goalkeeper twice and players on the grass,” said Silva. “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.”

However, Howe refuted suggestions that Dubravka faked an injury.

Asked if it was a deliberate ploy, Howe said: “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.”

Newcastle have won their last six games against Fulham and gone 10 matches unbeaten. Despite the win, Howe’s men remain eighth in the Premier League table after West Ham United won at Wolverhampton Wanderers.