Championship favourites Newcastle United suffered a 1-0 defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage in their opening game of the season this evening.
The only goal of the game in West London arrived 45 minutes in when Matt Smith glanced home from a Tom Cairney corner.
Newcastle had strong shouts for a penalty turned down by referee Simon Hooper in either half, meaning a seventh-successive home win for the Cottagers over their opponents.
Relive how the 90 minutes of action unfolded with Sports Mole's live text coverage below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Championship clash between Fulham and Newcastle United at Craven Cottage. That's right - just 68 days after the last ball of the season was kicked, we are officially back up and running in the newly-branded EFL as 92 clubs aim appease supporters and achieve their targets.
First up this evening is a chance to see the team backed as favourites to return to the Premier League next season, up against a side that looks just a tad different compared to the last time we saw them a couple of months back - not least because of the loss of their two star attackers during the off-season. First things first - let's check out some team news from West London.
TEAM NEWS!
FULHAM XI: Button, Odoi, Kalas, Madl, Malone, Cairney, Tunnicliffe, McDonald, Ayite, Aluko, Smith
NEWCASTLE UNITED XI: Sels, Janmaat, Hanley, Lascelles, Dummett, Hayden, Colback, Anita, Perez, Ritchie, Gayle
Starting with a look at the visiting side, then, as United boss Rafael Benitez has named five debutants in his starting lineup this evening. Matz Sels has been given the nod in goal, having been preferred to Karl Darlow. Rob Elliot and Tim Krul are also still part of the Newcastle fold, so the Magpies certainly do not lack goalkeeping options! Grant Hanley, Isaac Hayden, Matt Ritchie and striker Dwight Gayle are the others to make their club bow.
This is without question one of the strongest sides to have ever graced the second tier of English football, with Dwight Gayle and Matt Ritchie turning down a shot at Premier League football to link-up with Benitez in the Championship. Ciaran Clark and Mo Diame were not named in the travelling party yesterday, having only joined up with their new teammates earlier this week.
The hosts have made a few purchases of their own over the summer - the best of which, personally speaking, comes between the sticks with David Button joining from rivals Brentford. Button has statistically been the best keeper in the division over the past two seasons, and he will provide some much needed quality in goal - a massive bonus for a Fulham side that just cannot seem to defend all that well.
Tomas Kalas and Scott Malone have also been recruited this summer, joining from Chelsea and Cardiff City respectively. Kalas is here on loan, but his arrival was another massive coup for the Cottagers with a number of Championship sides said to have been interested. Malone is a dependable full-back option, but whether he was an upgrade on outgoing Jazz Richards - who joined Cardiff City in what is thought to have been a straight swap - remains to be seen.
BENCH WATCH!
FULHAM SUBS: Joronen, Stearman, Ream, Christensen, Edun, Woodrow, Parker
NEWCASTLE UNITED SUBS: Darlow, Sterry, Mbemba, Gamez, Shelvey, Aarons, Armstrong
Darlow having to settle for a place among the United subs, then, having come out second best in his battle with Sels. So many quality options for Benitez to choose from should his side need to find a route back into the game; Jonjo Shelvey, a full England international, among them. Scott Parker is a part of the Fulham back-ups, meanwhile - a player who spent two seasons at St James' Park earlier his career and still has a soft spot for tonight's visitors.
Newcastle United have made eight signings during the summer, bringing in the likes of Dwight Gayle, Matt Ritchie, Mo Diame and Ciaran Clark. The Magpies have just about balanced the books, though, thanks to hefty fees for Andros Townsend and Georginio Wijnaldum, while Moussa Sissoko is also expected to follow in the coming weeks.
So after such a dismal campaign last time out, albeit one that ended on a high with a 5-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle embark on their season campaign at this level in the past seven years. It is fair to say that hope still remains among the Toon Army, however, largely thanks to Benitez who opted to stay on and take the job for the long term after being guaranteed complete control of the club.
Benitez has certainly instilled confidence into supporters, with over 33,000 season tickets already being sold - a truly astonishing figure for a second-tier outfit. Just 12 months ago the Spaniard was preparing for a gruelling campaign at the world's biggest club, of course, but rather than looking to get the best out of Bale he is now hoping to squeeze every last ounce out of Gayle.
United did show signs of improvement under Benitez, although time was always against them and their relegation seemed almost inevitable. It had been years in the making in many ways for a side somewhat split in terms of owner and fanbase; a side that has so often struggled to simply break away from the bottom half. Many are hopeful that this could well be a new beginning, with Benitez now tasked with guiding the Magpies straight back up at the first time of asking.
As mentioned a little earlier, United have brought in eight new faces so far - the latest being Ciaran Clark from Aston Villa in a £5m deal. It all points to another successful campaign for Newcastle, much like we saw six years ago when strolling to the title and temporarily pushing on to book a place in Europe. The Championship does not tend to have strong favourites, but there is no denying that the Magpies are very much the team to beat over the next nine months.
DID YOU KNOW? The home side has won this fixture on each of the last seven occasions. Fulham have tasted victory four times at Craven Cottage during that run, while also losing just one of their last seven opening games. Furthermore, the Cottagers have kept five clean sheets in that time, so history certainly points to a home win tonight.
While Fulham boast an impressive clean-sheet record on the opening day, Newcastle have gone 25 visits to this part of West London without recording a single shutout. They have Jamaal Lascelles in the heart of their defence this evening, just a couple of days on from the youngster being handed the captain's armband. Lascelles impressed fans when being turned to last term, not least because of his honesty, and he is a player who knows this division well.
Fulham's struggles at the back has been a constant theme in recent times, but the arrival of Kalas in the heart of defence may go a long way to sorting that. Button is also one of the finest keepers at this level, yet it is up the other end where Slavisa Jokanovic will perhaps be most worried. The former Watford manager, who won promotion to the Premier League less than two years ago, has lost both Dembele and McCormack during the off-season.
Fulham's time in the Championship has been, well, rather underwhelming. Following relegation three seasons ago, a campaign of consolidating - to put it nicely - followed, while last year turned out to be another major disappointment. Jokanovic was a big coup for the club due to his success at Watford, taking over from Kit Symons last December as the Welshman failed to make his team tick in key areas of the field.
Craven Cottage is completely sold out tonight for this opening match of the new Championship campaign. Much has been made of Newcastle United's purchases during the summer, but Fulham have quietly gone about their business by bringing in Sone Aluko, David Button, Tomas Kalas, Scott Malone and a few others.
Fulham played five friendlies during the summer months, winning three of those - including a well-earned 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace last weekend. It has very much been a summer of change for the Whites, as they waved goodbye to a dozen players at the end of last season following their disappointing 20th-placed finish - just two places above the relegation zone, although safety had long been assured thanks to three wins on the bounce in April.
After tonight's fixture, Jokanovic must prepare his side for a League Cup tie with Leyton Orient in midweek before trips to face Preston North End and Leeds United. The Whites just have not got going in their two seasons back at this level, so a quick start is vital for them, even if they have been handed the toughest of starts. Much focus will be on the forward line in these opening weeks, with 40-goal pairing McCormack and Dembele no longer around to take care of things.
Fulham actually both scored and conceded in 33 of their league games last season - a joint-high tally, alongside Morecambe, in the top four divisions of English football. The ability to shut out opponents has become even more important this season, of course, but Kalas and Michael could form a solid partnership at the back - Jokanovic's job probably depending on it.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS! These two sides have met on 69 previous occasions; Fulham winning 29 of those and Newcastle 27 - pretty balanced. The Cottagers won the last meeting in March 2014 courtesy of an Ashkan Dejagah strike to earn a 1-0 win. The hosts will take that this evening, and the omens are good thanks to those five clean sheets in their last seven opening games.
With a little under 15 minutes to go until kickoff, let us now turn attention to the pre-match thoughts from both camps.
Slavisa Jokanovic: "Newcastle are under pressure, we are under pressure too. Sometimes it's a big moment at the beginning to play a strong team, they are a clear example of how complicated this competition is going to be. They spent a lot of money but we are a big club too and we're going to have similar ambitions to Newcastle. We will see what's going to happen.
"We're going to open this competition against a very important team and we cannot be intimidated in front of them. We play in our home in front of our supporters and we have to be strong and looking forward to it in a positive way."
Rafael Benitez: "People think I don't have experience in the second division, but we were promoted with Tenerife and Extremadura and I was the coach of the reserve team with Real Madrid in the second division. I know what it means to go from this level to another level. I realise how difficult it is.
"With Tenerife we had to fight in the most difficult second division in Spain with Atletico Madrid, Sevilla and Real Betis and we were promoted. I know you have to fight until the last day. We were promoted in the last game. It's a tough division with tough competition but I have experience and I'm learning a lot."
Interesting comments from Jokanovic there, who is certainly not low on self-esteem. The Serbian has backed Fulham to compete for a top-six berth this season, but a mid-table finish is the general consensus among many of the pundits. He certainly makes a solid point about tonight's visitors being under considerable pressure, which is always the case when a big name drops out of the Premier League.
Benitez points to the fact that he does have experience of life outside of the big time, meanwhile, following stints at Tenerife and Extremadura in the Spanish second division. The former Madrid and Liverpool boss is certainly loved by his fans, which is vital at a club that has such a divide when it comes to the suits and supporters. Now Benitez needs to walk the walk and guide the Magpies back into the Premier League at the first time of asking, or else they could well stagnate at this level.
So that's Fulham and Newcastle, but what about the other 22 teams taking part in the Championship? Well the fact that we have two Champions League-winning managers in the division this season says all you need to know. It really is going to be another explosive campaign - without doubt the strongest array of sides we have seen at this level. Newcastle are favourites, while fellow relegated side Norwich City are alongside Derby County as second favourites to go up with many.
Derby will feel that this is finally the season where things go there way, with Nigel Pearson now on board following a year out of the game. Sheffield Wednesday and Brighton & Hove Albion came so close last season, both falling short in the playoffs - the latter missing out on automatic promotion by the virtue of scoring two fewer goals than Middlesbrough, too! They will be under far more pressure this time around, though both have done well in terms of their summer business.
Then we come to the chasing pack - fallen giants Aston Villa and Leeds United among them. Bristol City have consolidated at this level and have kept hold of Kodija so they will also fancy their chances, as will Reading and Cardiff City who are under new management. Queens Park Rangers, Nottingham Forest and Birmingham City are the others with proven pedigree, in what should be another entertaining season of Championship football!
Both sets of players are now out on the field of play at a packed Craven Cottage. Newcastle supporters making a superb noise as ever, now let's just hope for an entertaining game of football!
KICKOFF! Newcastle United get us up and running in the 2016-17 Championship season. Gayle has twice looked to get in behind in the opening stages, but Fulham defender Kalas stands strong and ushers the ball out of play on the latest occasion.
The hosts will be happy with the start they have made, as Odoi gets high up his flank and lofts a ball into the box for Matt Smith. The former Leeds defender conceded a free kick before he could make contact with the ball, but certainly a promising sign.
Not a great deal of action in these opening five minutes; neither side really able to keep control of the ball in a fairly sloppy start. A Fulham free kick is swung into the box but is far too close to Sels, who is able to collect with ease.
YELLOW CARD! Kalas the man looking to build from the back, working it out to Malone on the left who loses possession up against Janmaat. Newcastle quickly get the ball forward towards Perez, who is shoved over by Odoi right on the edge of the area to earn the Fulham man a booking.
Perez is the man who takes the free kick on from 19 yards out, which he blasts straight into the jumping wall. Odoi will be breathing a huge sigh of relief after that effort - he was at fault for the concession of the set piece in a dangerous zone.
The Whites knock the ball around in the visitors' final third, remaining patient in search of a way through. That moment to slide the ball into Smith's path does not arrive, however, and United could clear away without being put under too much pressure.
No rhythm to the game at all so far. Fulham have done more of the attacking, without really getting the ball into a truly dangerous position. Newcastle look bright when getting forward, meanwhile, but they have been unable to get a shot on goal 13 minutes in.
Odoi and Malone getting right up their flanks from full-back but, once again, Fulham do not have too many ideas when in possession around the opposition box and United's centre-back duo can easily clear their lines.
Perez just about gets on the end of a ball down the left before it runs out of play, with his cutback ending in a promising position. Gayle was just ahead of it, however, and Kalas had no difficulty in bringing the ball out of defence.
Ritchie lofts a ball into the back-post area where Gayle is waiting to pounce, but Malone does well to get his head to the ball first. The Whites need midfield players to get in behind the Newcastle backline, with Smith seemingly unable to do that.
United dominating possession now. Benitez's men still yet to create any chances of not, but it must be remembered that there are five competitive debutants out their this evening so time is required to gel together.
We very nearly had the first chance of the game, as a punt from defence is left by Gayle for Perez to latch on to. The Spaniard's first touch was truly dreadful, though, coming off his knee and going straight out for a goal-kick.
Not sure if Jokanovic will be too happy about his side allowing United to dominate possession. It is doing no harm at the moment, mind, as United are struggling to put together any real attacking moves in what has been a bland opening quarter.
PENALTY SHOUT! Aluko looks very sharp as he gets on the end of a weak back-pass, which forces Hanley to dive in. Home fans were certain it was a penalty, but replays show that referee Simon Hooper got things right with no contact made.
Still awaiting the first real shot of the match as we approach the half-hour mark. Perez blasted a free kick into the Fulham wall a little earlier, but that aside we have seen very little attacking play from either side.
Another ball into the box sails over the head of Smith. Newcastle just need to push a little higher up the field and really pressure their opponents, having so far struggled to find a way through at Craven Cottage.
If ever a game has needed a goal... Can't really sugar-coat the opening 33 minutes of this game - it's been pretty poor overall. A small shout for a penalty for Fulham being the only talking point so far.
PENALTY SHOUT! A second penalty call of the match; this one being a far more solid shout compared to Aluko's a little earlier. Ritchie crossed the ball into the box after some smart movement on the left, and Tunnicliffe blocked it with his outstretched arm. Solid pen.
So a penalty appeal aside turned down at Craven Cottage, although it is the visitors who will feel more aggrieved by Simon Hooper's decision-making. Dummett blocks off Odoi down the right flank, with Kalas meeting the ball from the resulting free kick to nod wide.
Janmaat crosses for Ritchie, who can't get quite a shot on goal. The ball falls awkwardly to Ritchie 18 yards out, but his shot is blocked away well by a couple of Fulham defenders.
SAVE! The first on-target attempt of the match has arrived! Aluko was the source of it, moving past a couple of players and firing a shot on goal which bounced awkwardly in front of Sels, who spilled into a dangerous position. Dummett was first to the loose ball to clear away.
Play is back underway after a short stoppage in play for Hayden to receive some treatment. Just two minutes of normal time to go on the banks of the Thames in a game that has yet to fully get up and running.
HALF TIME! FULHAM 1-0 NEWCASTLE UNITED (MATT SMITH)
Well it has hardly been a classic first half of football, but Fulham have given this game an edge thanks to a breakthrough goal on the brink of half time. Cairney's corner was met brilliantly by Matt Smith, who guided the ball into the far corner after being left unmarked on the penalty spot.
Referee Simon Hooper blows for half time, and it is Fulham who have a slender lead over Championship favourites Newcastle United at the midway point. It was an opening 45 minutes devoid of any chances, before Matt Smith popped up on the brink of the interval with a really smart headed goal.
We had to wait 27 minutes before anything of note happened at Craven Cottage - Hanley lunging in on Aluko following a poor back-pass into the area, but the contact was minimal and referee Hooper made the right call in waving play on. Newcastle had a bigger shout less than 10 minutes last when Tunnicliffe used his arm to block Ritchie's left-sided cross, only for the referee to again turn down appeals.
Summer signing Sone Aluko fired in the first shot of the match five minutes before the break, with his attempt dipping awkwardly. Sels could only spill the ball in front on him, but Dummett read the danger and was first on the scene. Then, with normal time as good as up, Smith glanced home from Cairney's corner to ensure that we have an edge to the second half with United now forced to throw all they have at Fulham.
BENCH WATCH!
FULHAM SUBS: Joronen, Stearman, Ream, Christensen, Edun, Woodrow, Parker
NEWCASTLE UNITED SUBS: Darlow, Sterry, Mbemba, Gamez, Shelvey, Aarons, Armstrong
Fulham lead Newcastle United 1-0 midway through at Craven Cottage thanks to Matt Smith's well-taken header on 45 minutes.
RESTART! We are back underway at Craven Cottage. No changes at the break, but Ritchie has immediately switched flanks with Anita so Benitez clearly targeting an area where his side can be stronger in this second half.
Cairney, whose set-piece delivery helped his side edge ahead, boots the ball to nobody in particular which allows Newcastle to regain possession on the cheap. Plenty of pressing from the hosts early in this half; Newcastle still unable to get a grip on the game.
You can never read too much into opening-day results, or indeed performances, but this does go to show that United will not have things all their own way this season. Still have 40 minutes to find a goal or two.
Still Fulham are the side on top in this second half, pressing forward and getting a couple of crosses into the box which have come to very little. Benitez may just be thinking about making a change, with central midfielder Shelvey a decent option to turn to.
SAVE! What a chance for Newcastle to draw level! It is their first opportunity in front of goal all game, created by Anita on the left and played right into the feet of Ritchie just six yards out. The ex-Bournemouth man struck it right into the legs of Button from close range, though.
Newcastle finally starting to turn the screw, as they look to build some momentum following that Ritchie near-miss. Jokanovic may be the one thinking about changing things around all of a sudden, with his side on the back foot.
CHANCE! We have a real game on our hands at Craven Cottage now! Fulham so close to bagging a second goal - Smith unselfishly deciding to nod the ball into the path of Aluko, who is pushed by Hanley before making contact. A tough call for the referee, but the contact was very minimal.
A clear theme to this match now, with United the side seeing more of the ball but Fulham happily using that advantage to quickly break forward. It is the visitors who have looked the more likely to score a second over the past five minutes since that Ritchie miss.
Gayle gets a cross into the box from the right, which Perez looks to glance towards the far corner from 10 yards out. The ball was a little behind him, though, and he was about a yard wide with his attempt.
NEWCASTLE UNITED SUB! Rolando Aarons replaces Jack Colback with around 26 minutes left to play at Craven Cottage. A smart change by Benitez, who has rolled the dice for the first time after seeing his side struggle in the past few moments.
SHOT! Not a bad attempt from Ritchie, who well and truly put his boot through the ball from range. Button did well to keep hold of the ball, unlike Sels at the other end who spilled into a dangerous area.
CHANCE! The chances are certainly coming now - and going, too, as far as Newcastle are concerned. The ball fell to Aarons in a nice position, but he failed to make the desired contact and was left rather embarassed on the turf. Scott Parker being readied to come on for the hosts.
CHANCE! Ayite holds the ball up well and slides in Malone, but the full-back - who scored a world-class goal down the road at QPR last season - completely scuffs his left-footed effort when in on goal. Hayden smashes the ball into the hoardings in frustration.
FULHAM SUBS! Goalscorer, and potential matchwinner, Matt Smith is replaced by Christensen. Scott Parker is also brought on against his former side to take the place of Ryan Tunnicliffe - a man who was lucky to avoid giving away a pen in the first half.
YELLOW CARD! I'v been impressed by Odoi in the opening three-quarters of this match, and it is his burst forward which draws Dummett into a rash challenge on the right wing. Referee Simon Hooper with little choice but to go into his book and reach for a yellow.
SHOT! The ball just will not go into the net at the moment! Ayite makes something out of nothing when turning and firing a shot on goal for Sels to gather. Not enough elevation to get the better of the United keeper, as Armstrong comes on for Perez.
NEWCASTLE UNITED SUB! Jonjo Shelvey is the next player to be brought on for Newcastle, replacing Isaac Hayden in the middle of the park. Just over 10 minutes to go now in West London and Newcastle still desperately chasing a goal.
The Fulham centre-back duo doing very well to remain strong at the back. Kalas clears a cross into the box as far as Armstrong, who is unable to keep his shot on target. The Cottagers doing what they need to do to remain in front as we enter the final 10 minutes.
A dangerous cross comes in from the right, which Odoi does brilliantly to nod into the arms of Button. The former Lokeren man has been the star player this evening, with contributions both in attack and defence across the 82 minutes of the game.
FULHAM SUB! The sixth and final change of the evening is made - Tim Ream coming on for Scott Malone as the hosts aim to shore up at the back. All the pressing being done by Newcastle now, but they have not created anything in a while.
Fulham get bodies forward and create half a chance when Christensen is picked out on the edge of the box, but he leans back a little too much and sends his shot high into the stands. Do Newcastle have one last push in them? It's not looking likely at this stage.
PENALTY APPEAL! Another big talking point at Craven Cottage, as Kalas seemingly used his hand to block a Ritchie shot on goal. I think it would have been harsh had Hooper pointed to the spot, personally, with the Fulham defender being given little chance to move.
Four minutes of added time to come on the banks of the Thames, with United the side chasing a late goal. They would have wanted all three points, but they will certainly take just the one at this stage with the chances drying up in front of goal.
Newcastle throwing all they have at their opponents, but they just can't get a hold of the ball inside the box. They earn a free kick on the right-hand side which Shelvey swings in towards the front post towards Armstrong, who does very little with it. Poor delivery.
FULL TIME: FULHAM 1-0 NEWCASTLE UNITED
Simon Hooper, a man who will be at the centre of the Newcastle United inquest over the coming days, blows his whistle to bring this opening EFL game of the season to a close. Fulham had to ride their luck with those strong penalty appeals, but ride their luck they did to claim a big opening-match win.
That concludes Sports Mole's live text coverage of events at Craven Cottage on a big night for Fulham, but be sure to check out this on-the-whistle report before heading off. Thanks for joining!
