No goals were scored during the opening 45 minutes of Newcastle United's home encounter with Fulham in the Premier League this afternoon.

The visiting Londoners began the encounter brightly and went close to taking the lead when Dimitar Berbatov created himself some space to get a shot in, but the ball flew wide of the target.

© PA Photos

Meanwhile, at the other end in the 11th minute Steven Taylor sent a cross from Moussa Sissoko wide of the goal when well placed.

That prompted a host of chances for the Magpies, but both Papiss Cisse and Yohan Cabaye were unable to trouble Mark Schwarzer in the Fulham net.