'Strange' - Fulham boss sends classy message to Newcastle United & launches scathing attack

Fulham boss Marco Silva launched a furious attack on referee Samuel Barrott following his side's 3-0 defeat to Newcastle United.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men just 22 minutes in when Raul Jimenez was sent off for a recklessly high challenge on Sean Longstaff.

Silva, however, felt aggrieved with the 46-year-old believing Jamaal Lascelles should have been punished for an elbow on Jimenez moments before the red card incident.

The Cottagers held out until the hour-mark before Lewis Miley broke the deadlock while Miguel Almiron and Dan Burn were also on the scoresheet.

Speaking to the media after the game, Silva congratulated Newcastle on the win before criticising Barrott, who refereed only his eighth Premier League game.

"First, congratulations to Newcastle," the Portuguese boss said. "They won the game and three points for them. They needed a calm game after the Champions League in midweek and they had it, but it was not our fault. We gave our best and did everything on the pitch.

"It was a really strange performance from the referee from the first minute to the last minute. The first foul for Fulham was after 21 minutes.

"[Jamaal] Lascelles cleared elbowed Raul [just before Jimenez's red card] and not even a foul. I'm not saying red card, but a clear foul.

"After two minutes [later] he [Jimenez] has to be more calm and didn't challenge in the right way and the ball was not there to challenge for. I can accept if they decide it's a red card but what's difficult for me is two minutes before, Lascelles' elbow was not even a foul, not even a check.

"Everything was strange with the decisions. For a team to come to St James' Park, they are a good side and their results at home speak for themselves, you have to have quality and I felt it was a match where we could match them.

"You need referees with experience and to be able to handle the pressure."

Asked if the referee was not experienced enough, Silva said: "Clearly, no doubt."

Newcastle ended Fulham run of back-to-back 5-0 wins to record a seventh straight Premier League win at St James' Park.