Fulham have managed to turn a one-goal deficit into a 5-2 victory over Newcastle United in a thrilling encounter at Craven Cottage this afternoon.
The Cottagers fell behind late in the first half when Danny Guthrie scored a cracker for the Toon but Martin Jol's men produced a brilliant second-half performance with Clint Dempsey netting a hat-trick, accompanied by penalties from Danny Murphy and Bobby Zamora before a late consolation from Hatem Ben Arfa, to record a fourth win from their last five at home.
Guthrie netted his first Premier League goal since December 2008 with a great left-footed strike from outside the box after he was found by Ben Arfa but the Magpies' lead was canceled out early in the second half when Fulham were awarded a questionable penalty when Davide Santon fouled Damien Duff which was adjudged to be just inside the area. Cottagers skipper Murphy stepped up to the spot to slot it calmly past Tim Krul for his 50th goal for Fulham.
Seven minutes later, Dempsey was in the right place at the right time when Zamora's shot from the right side of the area was blocked by Krul but only into the path of the American who bundled home from close range.
Fulham managed to go two ahead six minutes later when Dempsey finished with aplomb from Zamora's through ball and all of a sudden it was 4-1 when Krul brought down Andy Johnson in the area with referee Lee Mason pointing to the spot for the second time. On this occasion it was Zamora to take the honours and he converted with a well-struck shot to essentially wrap up proceedings for his side.
But there were still more goals to come with Ben Arfa getting one back for Newcastle when he cut back into the box and hit a low shot into the bottom corner to give Alan Pardew's men hope but Dempsey snuffed out any late comeback with an 89th minute finish from another neat Zamora pass.
The win allowed Fulham to move up to 11th on the table as Newcastle remained sixth with a third defeat in their last four away games.
TRIBAL ASKS: Is Clint Dempsey one of the most underrated players in the Premier League?
Fulham: 5 (Danny Murphy (p) 52', Clint Dempsey 59'/65'/89', Bobby Zamora (p) 68') Newcastle United: 2 (Danny Guthrie 43', Hatem Ben Arfa 85')
Craven Cottage, London - 25,692
Yellow cards:FUL - nil NEW - Davide Santon 45+1', Danny Guthrie 62', Danny Simpson 63', Tim Krul 68'
