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| Alexander Isak of Newcastle United and Kenny Tete of Fulham in action during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Fulham FC at St. James Park on January 15, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. |
Substitute Alexander Isak made sure the "work was worth it" says manager Eddie Howe, as the Newcastle striker marked his return from injury with an 89th-minute winner against Fulham.
Club record signing Isak, on his first league appearance since September, nodded home from close range at a jubilant St James' Park to send Newcastle back into third in the Premier League.
It came after Aleksandar Mitrovic's converted penalty for Fulham was unusually disallowed when he accidentally kicked the ball onto his standing foot as he slipped while striking the ball.
It was a dramatic final 30 minutes to a tight game which Newcastle edged without being able to create clear chances.
In the end Isak, who made a promising start to life on Tyneside before his injury, was in the right place to convert strike partner Callum Wilson's knock-back.
"The goal was a special moment," Howe said.
"You want to hit the ground running at a new club and he did before the injury.
"He had to wait and watch the team do well in his absence. He's worked hard. For these moments the work was worth it."
Fulham manager Marco Silva was booked for protesting after the final whistle, with his side unfortunate to see their five-game winning run ended.