Barton's late penalty sees off Fulham

Fulham footballer Shefki Kuqi (R) fends off Nicky Butt of Newcastle during a Premiership match at Craven Cottage in London. Newcastle won 1-0. (AFP)

Joey Barton's first goal for Newcastle gave his side a last-gasp 1-0 win at Fulham on Saturday. Barton struck with a stoppage-time penalty after Elliot Omozusi brought down Alan Smith as Sam Allardyce's side claimed a second successive victory.

It was harsh on Fulham, who matched Newcastle for long periods of a scrappy encounter.

But Fulham have a nasty habit of conceding late goals and face the prospect of a relegation battle after slipping into the bottom three.

Allardyce acknowledged his side were below their best but praised their fitness levels.

"We probably played 50 times better at Blackburn recently and lost but we stopped Fulham and waited for the opportunity," he said.

"It wasn't the prettiest but it's another last minute winner and shows the lads are very fit.

"I don't think there was any doubt about penalty. It was a brave decision in the last minute but Howard Webb got it right."

Barton added: "James Milner wanted the penalty but I told him I fancied it. It was nothing personal. I just wanted to get it in and thankfully I did."Cottagers boss Lawrie Sanchez made three changes after last week's 3-0 defeat at Everton with Carlos Bocanegra, Hameur Bouazza and David Healy coming in.

Fulham were fortunate not to be behind early on. Simon Davies, Fulham's Welsh midfielder, was close to scoring an own goal twice in quick succession as he sliced over the bar and then headed into the side-netting while trying to clear.

Healy had Fulham's first attempt at the right end when he raced onto Steven Davis's pace and drove in a shot that Shay Given pushed round a post.

Fulham's fans were furious when referee Howard Webb opted not to punish Given for sliding out of his area with the ball still in his hands before letting it slip out.

Antti Niemi denied Newcastle with a fine save after Barton met James Milner's cross with a powerful header in the 15th minute

Clint Dempsey drove a shot wide after a Fulham counter-attack and that was as good as it got for the rest of a dour first half.

Both sides started the second period just as slowly and Dejan Stefanovic's tame header from Bouazza's cross summed up the torpid nature of the match.Healy pounced on a mistake by Habib Beye moments later but his shot was too close to Given.

David Rozehnal should have done better than glance a header at Niemi from Emre's free-kick.

At least Rozehnal was in the right place and he nearly laid on a goal from another Emre free-kick late on. This time the defender's connection flashed across the six-yard box, just out of substitute Mark Viduka's reach.

Just as the match looked set for a stalemate, Omozusi gave away a penalty when he brought down Smith after Mark Viduka's flick gave the England international a sight of goal.

Omozusi's rash tackle left referee Howard Webb no option but to give a spot-kick and Barton stepped up to beat Niemi and clinch the points.

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