Manager Claudio Ranieri said his players "responded well" to a new system and if they continued to fight "sooner or later we'll change the way".
"It's the first time I've tried to play with three centre-backs and the players responded well," said Ranieri. "They were very solid against a physical team.
"I'm happy because every point we achieve is good."
Newcastle will sit in 15th place on Christmas Day before embarking on a tough run of fixtures that will see them take on Liverpool and Chelsea away, as well as welcoming Manchester City and Manchester United to St James' Park.
Fulham boss Claudio Ranieri joked Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez was more Italian than him before the match because of his tactical astuteness
Fulham manager Claudio Ranieri: "It is very important for us. First half maybe we created more play and had possession well, but they had a very big chance.
"Second half we lost control and they were dangerous, but we had four or five chances on the counter-attack, so at the end I'm happy because every point we achieve is good."