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 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.
