Three snap takeaways from Newcastle United's stress-relieving 1-0 victory Saturday over Fulham at St. James' Park:
Instant replay. While there was improvement at the back, particularly in confident performances by Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa and Mathieu Debuchy, the first half's aimless offense was a chillingly exact copy of the previous week's 0-0 draw against West Ham. Newcastle had the edge in possession and position, and a scattering of decent chances, including a juicy 42nd-minute cross from Debuchy that Papiss Cissé nodded just wide. (Is there a worse club in the league at finishing headers?) But the pressure was neither consistent nor urgent. The first goal of the league season seemed dreams away.
Adrenaline shot. The reception from the crowd was understandably mixed when petulant transfer target Yohan Cabaye entered at the 65th. But while Cabaye's contribution would turn out to be minimal, the club seemed to get a boost in pace and belief from his presence. Loic Remy's smooth debut eight minutes after amped the attacking volume yet higher - he looked like a thoroughbred among cart horses. Hatem Ben Arfa's classic side-step thunderbolt that won it in the 86th minute was well due when it came.
Pretty on paper. By the time the final whistle blew, the stat sheet looked more like a five-goal whitewash than a 1-0 tussle. Newcastle racked up 13 corners to Fulham's 2 and outshot the Cottagers 24-3; the Magpies' nine shots on target were nine times their total season output before Saturday. ("We should've had at least a point," said Fulham manager Martin Jol, sparking worldwide demand for whatever it is he's smoking.) The numbers were a better reflection of the last half-hour than the full afternoon. But they might be a sign of better days to come if Newcastle can hold off Cabaye's suitors and keep a promising rent-a-striker fit.