Laurent Robert stole the show as Newcastle climbed up to fifth place in the Premiership following a 3-1 win over Fulham at St James' Park.

Andy O'Brien, impressive in last Sunday's 0-0 draw with Manchester United, broke the deadlock after just four minutes to pile on the away-day misery for Fulham who have just a solitary point to show for their last six matches on the road.

Chris Coleman's men, minus the Manchester United-bound Louis Saha, suffered the worst possible start when former Bradford man O'Brien reacted quickest to a loose ball following the first corner of the game.

Fulham's misery deepened when they lost Sylvain Legwinski to injury just after the quarter-hour mark although minutes later the visitors created arguably their best chance of the half only for Luis Boa Morte to culminate a well-worked move by firing into the side netting from a tight angle.

Newcastle almost doubled their lead from a 37th minute free-kick but Fulham goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar denied Nolberto Solano from close range with his feet and two minutes later the Peruvian's wicked set piece from the left somehow evaded an onrushing trio of Magpies players, including Gary Speed who failed to apply the crucial touch at the far post.

But five minutes before half time the Welshman made no mistake in heading home Solano's corner to put Newcastle well and truly in the ascendancy.

The Magpies ended the match as a contest in the 54th minute when swift interplay in the final third involving Robert, Speed and Jermaine Jenas allowed Solano the time to weigh up his options and find Robert who adjusted superbly in mid-air to connect with the cross and send a looping effort over van der Sar's outstretched body.

And even though Sean Davis pulled one back for Fulham with just over a quarter of an hour remaining it proved nothing more than a consolation for Fulham as they faced up to life without their top scorer.

But, speaking with typical candidness, Coleman refused to blame the absence of Saha for his side's capitulation.

"I won't make that excuse. Louis Saha was not playing at the back and that's where we lost the game," said Coleman on Sky Sports Premiership Plus.

"We had a lot of chances, but defensively we were poor and that was nothing to do with Louis Saha."

Newcastle boss Sir Bobby Robson was unhappy with the way his side had stepped off the gas in the second half following Robert's goal.

He said: "At 3-0 we looked comfortable, but sadly we went a bit flat at that stage.

"We got negative in our play, the ball went backwards, which caused a little bit of sloppiness.

"But I would have settled for the result before the match."

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