Fulham 1 Newcastle 0: Fulham midfielder Steed Malbranque celebrated his come-back from injury by heaping further pressure on under fire Newcastle boss Graeme Souness.

Malbranque was making only his second appearance of the last month - with a thigh strain his latest setback - but the Frenchman showed no rustiness as he buried the only goal of the game after coming on as a second half substitute.

Antti Niemi made his Fulham debut after completing a £1million move from Southampton earlier in the week and made two magnificent late saves to ensure his new employers finished with all three points.

The Cottagers offered more as an attacking force with striker Heidar Helguson, back after a hip injury, squandering the best opportunity of the first-half and striking the bar after the break.

Brian McBride, also returning after a spell in the treatment room with a neck problem, also caused problems.

Newcastle, who were weakened by yet another injury this morning when Titus Bramble failed a fitness test after damaging his foot, had a Jean-Alain Boumsong chance cleared off the line and would have snatched a share of the spoils but for Niemi's late brilliance.