One day after Fulham manager Chris Coleman sung Brian McBride’s praises for being one of the best buys in Premiership history, the American striker scored yet another game winner for the Cottagers. Playing at home to Newcastle United, Fulham won 2-1 thanks to a 73rd minute tap-in from McBride, who scored with ease after new signing Papa Bouba Diop powered his way through the Newcastle defense for him to slot home at the near post. It was Fulham’s first victory in seven games, six of which were draws.
“If you look at it pound for pound, you can’t buy anyone who attacks the ball like he does and score goals like he does,” Coleman said of McBride, who he bought from MLS for $1.37 million in 2004. “For the amount of money we spent and the service he has given us, it has got to be the best £700,000 that anyone has ever spent.” McBride has scored 35 times for Fulham, including 11 goals this season in 25 appearances in all competitions.
At the other end, it was a Newcastle debut for Oguchi Onyewu, who had a decent performance at Craven Cottage, although Titus Bramble, his partner in the center of defense, looked shaky throughout and was lucky not to be sent off. Manager Glenn Roeder expressed his satisfaction with Onyewu’s performance after the match. “His voice can be heard and I am looking forward to hearing more of it,” Roeder said. “As a team, we are too quiet on the pitch…I want players who are vocal, who have a lot of personality and are nice and loud.”