Newcastle United crashed to a 1-0 defeat in their Championship curtain-raiser at Craven Cottage as Rafa Benitez’s men discovered first hand just how difficult it will be to get out of this division.
Matt Smith headed in the only goal of the game just before half-time, rising unmarked to power in a Tom Cairney corner.
And, in truth, the Cottagers thoroughly deserved their victory; while the Magpies were tentative and unconvincing, Fulham were driven and purposeful.
The physicality and relentless pace of the Championship may have come as a wake-up call to some of these Magpies, and Benitez still needs to find a way to address United’s appalling away form.
But who performed well for Newcastle in west London? Who struggled? And where will they turn to in the transfer market to solve their shortcomings?
Fulham have spent just £7m this summer – with their most expensive acquisition goalkeeper David Button from Brentford for £2m – and have recouped £20m in player sales, including the £12m from Ross McCormack’s move to Aston Villa .
Newcastle on the other hand have a gross spend of £45m so far and, even though they have generated just about the same amount in player sales, they are doing unprecedented transfer business for a second-tier this window,
But, just as they have been warned, Newcastle cannot merely spend their way to the Championship title – not that they are doing that anyway when you consider how much they have recouped.
This side will need to show character, determination and togetherness – as well as their superior quality – in order to go up.