RAFAEL BENITEZ suffered a first anniversary to forget as his Newcastle United side crashed to a 3-1 defeat to Fulham.

Twelve months to the day since he agreed to take over at St James’ Park, Benitez watched his side suffer their joint-heaviest league defeat of the season as Tom Cairney’s early opener was followed by two second-half goals from Ryan Sessegnon.

Newcastle, who claimed a second-half consolation through Daryl Murphy, remain on top of the Championship table, but the result means they are only ahead of Brighton on goal difference and are now just six points clear of third-placed Huddersfield.

Their home form is a growing source of concern for Benitez, with today’s reverse making it five home defeats already this season. Unless that proves, they could be in for a nervous end to the season.

Benitez marked his anniversary by making four changes from the side that drew at Reading on Tuesday, with the most notable witnessing Dwight Gayle’s return to the starting line-up after consecutive matches on the substitutes’ bench.

Gayle’s absence did not derail Newcastle’s promotion bid over the last couple of months, but the club’s home form remains a source of concern whoever is in the team.

In their previous home game, the Magpies conceded two goals in the opening 21 minutes against Bristol City. A fortnight on, and they once again found themselves conceding an early opener to Fulham.

Cairney had already gone close with a shot that sailed narrowly over the crossbar when he beat Karl Darlow in the 15th minute, and given his effectiveness in an attacking-midfield role, it is easy to see why Benitez looked into signing the Fulham midfielder during the January transfer window.

Fulham’s astronomical valuation meant Newcastle were quickly put off making a bid, but Cairney’s talent is obvious and after receiving the ball from full-back Scott Malone, he curled home a superb strike from 22 yards.

He was invited to shoot as Newcastle’s defenders inexplicably stood off him, but he still produced a superb strike to give Darlow no chance.

The goal put Newcastle onto the back foot, and Fulham were unfortunate not to claim a second as they dominated much of the opening period.

Darlow produced a smart save to deny Sone Aluko after the Fulham striker wriggled into space in the box, and the Magpies goalkeeper was a relieved man shortly after as Neeskens Kebano’s shot deflected off Paul Dummett and looped inches wide of the left-hand post.

Newcastle needed something to spark them into life, and it almost arrived courtesy of centre-half Ciaran Clark shortly before the half-hour mark.

Clark met Vurnon Anita’s right-wing cross to power in a goalbound header, but Fulham goalkeeper David Button did well to tip the ball over the crossbar.

That was as good as things got for the Magpies before the break, with a series of attacks breaking down because of misplaced passes. Jonjo Shelvey and Mo Diame were the worst culprits, although there was a lack of cohesion to the home side’s play that permeated throughout the whole of the team.

Newcastle desperately needed a strong start to the second half, but instead, with Cairney pulling the strings at the heart of midfield, Fulham struck within six minutes of the restart to double their lead.

Ciaran Clark’s poor attempted clearance meant the Magpies were unable to clear up a swift Fulham break, and after Aluko back-heeled the ball into his path, Sessegnon stroked a clinical finish into the bottom right-hand corner.

Newcastle were in something approaching disarray by this stage, and while Gayle came close with a header that was tipped over the bar, Fulham swiftly claimed a third goal as their counter-attacking capabilities continued to rip their opponents to shreds.

A break that swept from one end of the field to the other ended with Aluko teeing up Sessegnon on the overlap on the left-hand side, and the midfielder claimed his second goal in the space of eight minutes as he rifled a ferocious strike into the corner.

Benitez brought on Murphy, Jesus Gamez and Yoan Gouffran in an attempt to change things, and the former at least provided a glimmer of hope as he scored with 14 minutes left.

Receiving Christian Atsu’s through ball on the left-hand corner of the box, Murphy turned neatly before angling a low strike past Button.

Fulham should have claimed a fourth goal in stoppage time, but after Dummett was penalised for a push on substitute Gohi Cyriac, Tim Ream fired his spot-kick wide of the post.

Newcastle (4-2-3-1): Darlow; Anita, Lascelles, Clark (Gamez 64), Dummett; Shelvey, Colback; Ritchie, Diame (Murphy 61), Atsu; Gayle (Gouffran 74).

Subs (not used): Elliot (gk), Hanley, Perez, Mitrovic.

Fulham (4-2-3-1): Button; Odoi, Kalas, Ream, Malone; McDonald, Johansen (Parker 90); Kebano (Fredericks 84), Cairney, Sessegnon; Aluko (Cyriac 88).

Subs (not used):  Bettinelli (gk), Madl, Sigurdsson, Martin.