Cairney seals winning finale for Fulham against Newcastle but doubts grow over Silva

Fulham gave Marco Silva a victory in what could be his final match in charge as Tom Cairney’s second-half wonder goal sealed a win over Newcastle at Craven Cottage.

The manager is due to meet with the club hierarchy next week having promised he would make a decision after the season had concluded on whether to extend his five-year stay or to depart.

Much could depend on whether as expected Benfica make an offer for him to replace the Real Madrid-bound José Mourinho. Fulham have offered a three-year extension but having repeatedly declined to commit himself either publicly or in private, it appears increasingly likely Silva has led his side for the last time.

This will have been a fitting send-off. Issa Diop’s header after Kevin’s free-kick hit the bar got the ball rolling, Cairney gave the season a rollicking finale with a lovely strike for the second, but, whether Silva stays or goes, Fulham go into the summer with much to reflect upon and regret.

Both teams had already had their ambitions for the campaign frustrated, Newcastle as far back as February when a run of one win in seven effectively ended their Champions League hopes.

For Fulham their season held promise as recently as their most recent home game. Had they beaten Bournemouth on 9 May, this result against Newcastle would have been enough for them to finish sixth.

They were beaten 1-0 by one of their main rivals for Europe, and ultimately it is an inability to grind out results consistently that has cost them. Since the turn of 2026 they have won back-to-back matches in the league only once, and it is this that may ultimately act as a signal for Silva that it is time to go.