AFTER a difficult week, Newcastle United needed something to brighten the mood. So, while the Magpies might not have been at their free-flowing best as they beat Fulham, a place in the fifth round of the FA Cup represents a welcome end to a tough few days.

It remains to be seen what happens before the transfer window closes on Thursday evening, with a number of Newcastle’s players still being linked with potential moves away from the club, but whoever remains on Tyneside for the final four months of the season can at least still dream of lifting a trophy. Thanks to their win at Craven Cottage, the season is still alive.

Sean Longstaff’s crisp first-half finish paved the way for Newcastle’s fourth-round success, and while Fulham’s players and management were furious at the ball striking Bruno Guimaraes’ arm in the build-up to the visitors’ opener, the goal was rightly allowed to stand.

Dan Burn added a second goal in the second half, stabbing home from close range, and with Sven Botman leading a much-improved defensive display, Eddie Howe’s side successfully recorded only their second clean sheet since they shut out Fulham at St James’ Park in mid-December.

Newcastle were without Miguel Almiron, whose absence was because of an illness rather than this week’s transfer speculation linking him with a possible move to Saudi Arabia, with Jacob Murphy coming into the side to replace the Paraguayan.

Murphy was making his first appearance for more than two months after recovering from shoulder surgery, with his rustiness perhaps explaining the miss that kept the scoreline goalless after just five minutes.

Antonee Robinson played the ball straight to Murphy inside his own penalty area, but from 14 yards out, the winger fired a snatched shot straight at Fulham goalkeeper Marek Rodak, who was able to save.

Anthony Gordon fired a low shot wide of the left-hand post as Newcastle began brightly, but it did not take long for Fulham to start creating chances of their own and the hosts would have taken the lead in the 17th minute had it not been for an excellent save from Martin Dubravka.

Harry Wilson rolled the ball into Rodrigo Muniz’s path in the area, but while the striker, who was on loan at Middlesbrough last season, fired in a crisp low effort, Dubravka got down superbly to claw the ball around the post.

Muniz came close again with a shot that deflected wide off Botman, but when the deadlock was broken six minutes before the interval, the goal came at the other end of the field.

Fulham’s defenders failed to deal with a cross from Kieran Trippier, leading to something of a scramble in the 18-yard box. Lewis Miley flicked the ball onto Guimaraes’ arm – the Brazilian knew nothing about it – and when it fell for Longstaff, the midfielder swept home a powerful first-time finish. There was a VAR check for handball, but the goal was allowed to stand.

Murphy had an effort rightly chalked off for offside on the stroke of half-time, while Willian swept the ball into the net at the start of the second half, only for his strike to also be ruled out after the offside flag went up against Bobby Decordova-Reid in the build-up.

Fulham dominated possession for much of the second half, but their delivery into the box was generally poor, with Botman and Fabian Schar clearing their lines effectively.

Newcastle’s threat on the break was only sporadic, but Alexander Isak broke forward menacingly just before the hour mark and curled in a shot that Rodak did well to save.

It felt like a second Magpies goal would prove decisive, and it duly arrived in the 61st minute. Botman met Trippier’s corner with a powerful downward header, and while Rodak kept out the Dutchman’s effort, Burn was on hand to stab home the rebound from close range.

Fulham substitute Raul Jimenez headed Kenny Tete’s cross over as the hosts tried to rally, but Newcastle were never seriously troubled as they closed things out.