Newcastle missed the opportunity to go fourth in the Premier League after a superb second-half comeback from Fulham.
A point for the Magpies would have sent them above Manchester City, who visit Arsenal on Sunday, 2 February.
But substitute Rodrigo Muniz completed a fine Fulham turnaround in the 82nd minute after he got the deftest of touches on Andreas Pereira’s dangerous free-kick into the box.
After falling behind in the first half to Jacob Murphy’s 37th-minute opener, the Cottagers levelled in the 61st minute when Raul Jimenez turned in Antonee Robinson’s cross, with the help of a deflection.
The Magpies started well and led when Murphy was found by Anthony Gordon’s deflected cross, allowing the winger to slot home his fourth goal of the season.
A minute prior to the opener, Sandro Tonali made St James’ Park gasp after his thunderous 30-yard hit struck the upright.
Fulham boss Marco Silva said his players were braver after he pulled them up on a number of things following a disappointing first 45 minutes.
“I think we had some lack of objectiveness in the first half, our last finish, not enough bodies in the box, that was one of the clear messages,” he told BBC Match of the Day.
“I thought we were losing too many individual duels in the first half – and also to keep doing the good things we did in the first half. We did it in a good way. We were more brave in our attack and able to score.”
Fulham defended expertly to keep the in-form Alexander Isak quiet until the 76th minute when he cut inside from the left and curled a lovely effort off the upright – almost making it 2-1 to Newcastle.
It was the first time in a year Newcastle have been beaten for two games on the spin at home in the league as Fulham completed their first top-flight double over the Magpies since 2008-09.
Marco Silva’s side moved up to ninth in a tight Premier League table as they sit just five points adrift of Newcastle in fifth.
Magpies falter at home again in crucial week
Newcastle could not have prepared for Wednesday’s League semi-final second leg against Arsenal in a worse manner.
The Magpies head into that massive match at St James’ Park with a two-goal lead, but will now worry the Gunners could emulate fellow Londoners Fulham in overcoming the deficit.
Having also lost to Bournemouth, Eddie Howe’s side faltered in front of their home fans again and will have to be much improved in midweek if they are to progress to a much-needed Wembley final.
But the Newcastle boss told Match of the Day: “I think the whole atmosphere and feeling will be very different on Wednesday night, but it’s another reminder that we need to be near our best to win games and it’s another example of the quality of Premier League teams.”
Newcastle will wonder where it all went wrong in the second half after going in at the break well in control and looking to extend their lead.
Tonali had struck the woodwork with a wondrous hit, before Murphy found the opener, and it seemed a matter of time before Isak added to his 18-goal tally for the campaign.
However, the tremendous second-half display from the Cottagers caught Newcastle cold as they missed a big chance to get above Manchester City and put them in a confident mood for Arsenal’s visit.
More encouraging signs for the Cottagers
With Newcastle winning seven of their last eight Premier League games, this was a tough ask for Fulham.
But they have European ambitions of their own – and a have great chance if they can find greater consistency in their performances and results.
Despite defeats to West Ham and Manchester United in their last three games, Silva’s side are now just four points adrift of Chelsea in sixth spot and a further point behind Newcastle in fifth.
Fulham lacked attacking intent and quality in the first half, but Silva’s half-time team talk looked to have worked wonders as his side flew out of the blocks for the second period.
Mexican striker Jimenez was then more prominent in the game and eventually showed his class and poaching instincts to draw his team level. An inspired substitution by Silva worked well too as Muniz ensured all three points headed back to west London for a second successive away trip.
