The Tanner Report: Fulham 0 Newcastle 2

Fulham lost this cup tie for two reasons.

Firstly, with an attendance of 19,000 and empty seats it did not feel like a home tie – especially with the Newcastle fans in full voice.

Secondly, Marco Silva had dropped seven of the team that drew with Liverpool in midweek, including such integral players as Joao Pahlinha and Raul Ramirez.

To be fair Fulham matched Newcastle but could not capitalise on their possession as they lacked bite in the box.

It’s clear that Muniz is not a Premiership striker.

As ever when things are not going your way luck deserts you.  Newcastle’s first goal might have been chalked off after a handball.

There is no consistency as it would have been ruled off by a UEFA official and the rationale was that the player whose hand touched the ball did not score.

The second – and decisive – goal in the second half came from a corner which Fulham questioned.

There was a protest about a ticket price of £40.  Generally I take the side of the owners against supporters but here I think a concession could have been made given we presumably had a fee from ITV and players do respond to a full Cottage.

Presumably Silva had an eye on the Everton match this coming Tuesday. I cannot see Fulham being dragged into a relegation dog fight so, after this week, there will be not much to look forward to.

In fact it’s been a bad January for the club.

It was announced that the new stand will not be finished by the start of next season.

We are out of the Carabou and FA Cups and fans are protesting about ticket prices. We have lost 3 players -two first teamers in Awobi and Bassey .

The only good news is that it looks unlikely we will lose Pahlinha.